Hajiya Sutura Shehu-Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has died at the age of 89.
Naijaonpoint reports that her death was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the head of the Shagari family, Capt. Muhammad Bala Shagari (retd.), who said she passed away around 3 pm after a prolonged illness.
In the statement, the family praised her character and impact, noting, “She was an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, a devoted mother, grandmother, and matriarch who lived a life defined by dignity and compassion.”
The statement added that her passing is deeply felt by the entire Shagari family and all who knew her.
“Further details and funeral arrangements would be announced in due course. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace,” it noted.
Hajiya Sutura was the widow of Shehu Shagari, Nigeria’s first democratically elected executive president, who served from 1979 to 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria.
Shehu Shagari was born on February 25, 1925, in Shagari village in present-day Sokoto State. He worked as a teacher, administrator, and politician, rising through various public service roles to become minister in several federal ministries before winning the 1979 presidential election.
His administration focused on housing, agriculture, education, and industrialisation under the famous “Green Revolution” programme.
Shagari’s time in office ended abruptly on December 31, 1983, following a military coup led by then Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. He died on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93.
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