“Daddy, I’m Heartbroken” – Noor Buhari Pays Emotional Tribute to Late President Muhammadu Buhari

In the wake of Nigeria’s political history being reshaped by the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a moment of raw humanity emerged on social media—his daughter, Noor Buhari, broke her silence with a moving tribute that has left many Nigerians teary-eyed. As condolences continue to pour in from across the world, Noor’s heartfelt message has gripped the nation, standing out not just as the voice of a grieving daughter, but as a powerful reminder of the man beyond the title.

The late former president died on July 13, 2025, at a London clinic where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He was 82. The news of his passing quickly went viral, with tributes flooding in from world leaders, political allies, critics, and ordinary Nigerians whose lives were touched—whether positively or negatively—by his leadership. But among the noise of political commentary, one voice cut through the din with piercing emotion: that of Noor, his daughter.

Taking to her personal social media page, Noor Buhari poured out her grief in a short but devastating message that captured the loss not of a head of state, but of a father.

“Daddy, I’m heartbroken that we won’t get to share the moments and experiences I had planned for us. I pray that you’re granted the highest place in Jannah, and your soul rests in eternal peace,” she wrote.

Attached to the post was a photo of a smiling Noor with her father in what seemed to be one of their many private moments—simple, calm, away from the glare of state functions and political storms. The image alone sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians who expressed surprise at seeing the softer, rarely-publicized side of Buhari as a family man.

While many Nigerians are divided in their assessment of Buhari’s legacy—some hailing his anti-corruption stance and infrastructure investments, others criticizing his perceived ethno-political bias and handling of security—what cannot be debated is the finality of death and the hollow it leaves in the hearts of loved ones. For Noor, the grief is deeply personal, and not measured in policy or politics, but in missed conversations, lost hugs, and unrealized plans.

Sources close to the family revealed that Noor had been very close to her father and was among those who stood by him quietly throughout his health challenges. Despite his prominent role on the global stage, Buhari was said to have maintained a strong sense of family, often withdrawing from public events to spend private time with his children and grandchildren.

The former president’s passing marks the end of a significant era in Nigeria’s democratic journey. From his days as a military head of state in the 1980s to his unexpected political comeback in 2015 as a civilian president, Buhari’s leadership spanned generations and inspired intense debate. He was a symbol of discipline to some and a figure of division to others. But to Noor, he was simply “Daddy.”

Her tribute is not just an emotional farewell, it is a rare window into the emotional landscape of a family so often shielded by security details and presidential protocols. For the first time, the nation sees Noor not as a political figure, but as a grieving daughter stripped of formality, baring her soul to the world.

Nigerians across social media platforms have responded with empathy. Thousands of comments under her post reflect the sorrow of citizens who, despite their individual views about Buhari’s administration, recognize and respect the pain of losing a loved one. Many offered prayers, especially in Islamic phrases such as “May Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus,” while others shared their personal stories of loss, creating a communal sense of mourning.

Political figures have also acknowledged the personal side of Buhari’s death. In his condolence speech, President Bola Tinubu mentioned the former leader’s role as a father and husband, noting that beyond politics, Buhari’s greatest strength may have been the family he quietly nurtured. “We condole with his family, especially his children, who knew him not as the president but as their hero at home,” Tinubu said.

As funeral arrangements continue, it is expected that the Buhari family will hold a private prayer session before the public rites scheduled to take place in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. The Nigerian government has declared a national day of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast. Security around the burial site has been heightened, and dignitaries from around the world are expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Noor has reportedly chosen to remain out of the spotlight, declining interviews and further statements for now. Those close to her say she is still trying to process the magnitude of her loss, choosing instead to stay surrounded by close family members.

Her single, searing line—“Daddy, I’m heartbroken”—has already etched itself into the nation’s consciousness, resonating with countless Nigerians who have experienced personal loss. It speaks not of presidential legacies, not of political debates, but of a universal truth: that grief does not respect titles, and pain is the great equalizer.

As the sun sets on the life of Muhammadu Buhari, Noor’s voice remains—shaken but steady, broken yet brave. In her words, Nigeria has heard the echo of a daughter's love, untainted by politics and untouched by power.

And in that love, perhaps, lies the most enduring part of the man many knew only through the lens of public service.