THE former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has described the former Nigerian leader as a fulfilled and dedicated man who served the country with sincerity and commitment.
Speaking in an interview today, Gambari reflected on his decades-long relationship with Buhari, stating, “He was fulfilled on all fronts—personally, professionally, and politically. He was a good man who did his best for the country.”
Highlighting Buhari’s achievements, Gambari noted that he was one of only two Nigerians to have served as both a military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President who completed two terms.
Gambari, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, added, “He rose to become a General in the Nigerian Army, led the country between 1983 and 1985, and despite politics not being his original field, he returned as a civilian president and served for eight years.”
While acknowledging the varying public opinions about Buhari’s legacy, he stressed that Buhari acted in Nigeria’s best interests. “Whether or not he met every expectation, I believe he served Nigeria diligently. He loved this country deeply,” he said.
On Buhari’s economic legacy, Gambari admitted the late president’s policies—particularly the naira redesign in his final months—remain a topic of debate.
“The economic direction, especially with the currency redesign, is still being contested,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his time working closely with Buhari during the final three years of the administration, Gambari concluded that history would be kinder to the late president than critics suggest.