Buhari wife biography

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She noted that decades of military service—spending 30 months in the bush during Nigeria’s Civil War soaked by rain—had damaged his respiratory system, exacerbated by air conditioning and earlier smoking.

Following Buhari’s death, Aisha has focused on family, mourning, and preserving her late husband’s legacy through the biographical project.

To his supporters, he was a symbol of integrity and order, their "Sai Baba". Through honest research and thoughtful writing, I bring you biographies that celebrate the amazing human strength, resilience, and success.

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Inside Muhammadu Buhari’s Family: Meet his wives, 10 children, and the legacy he left behind

Inside Muhammadu Buhari’s Family [ChannelsTV]

Former President Muhammadu Buhari is dead.

This wasn’t the first time Buhari’s death had been announced. At one point, in London and been replaced by a body double named “Jubril from Sudan.”

But this time, the headlines weren’t rumours or propaganda. She was soft-spoken, mostly absent from the public eye, and rarely photographed. The family also has grandchildren, making Aisha both mother and grandmother.

The marriage spanned 36 years until Buhari’s death on July 13, 2025, from pneumonia in a London hospital at age 82.

Her academic journey demonstrates remarkable commitment to lifelong learning and professional development across multiple disciplines.

For tertiary education, Aisha attended Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. Known for her humility and quiet grace, she was deeply cherished by those close to her.

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At the May 2015 Global Women Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she stressed the need for Nigerian laws protecting women from forced early marriages, sex trafficking, and gender-based violence.

Child Welfare: She raised concerns about child sexual abuse, criticized child marriage practices common in northern Nigeria, and donated book proceeds to families of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, as well as families of Buni Yadi boys murdered by the terrorist group.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Aisha worked extensively with IDPs fleeing Boko Haram violence in northeastern Nigeria, visiting camps in Borno State and establishing relief material distribution committees—work bringing attention to a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

Health Initiatives: She focused on maternal and child health, malnutrition, and healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Adamawa, one of Nigeria’s northeastern states, is predominantly Muslim and ethnically diverse, home to Fulani, Hausa, and various other ethnic groups. She preferred to stay behind the scenes, focusing on raising her children and managing the home front.

However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1988, three years after Buhari was overthrown and imprisoned following a military coup.

buhari wife biography

Aisha, born in 1971 in Adamawa State, is everything Safinatu was not: outspoken, fashionable, highly educated, and bold. 

She studied public administration and beauty therapy and became a certified beauty therapist and entrepreneur. In 2014, she authored “Essentials of Beauty Therapy” and later launched humanitarian programs under the Future Assured initiative.

When Buhari returned to power in 2015, and immediately made headlines for .

Aminu was eventually released, but the controversy damaged Aisha’s public image and suggested overreach in using state power against critics.

Philanthropy and Social Impact

Beyond governmental advocacy, Aisha established the Aisha Buhari Foundation, a charitable organization providing:

She organized the Aisha Buhari Cup, an invitational women’s football tournament through the Nigerian Football Federation, promoting women’s sports and providing visibility for female athletes.

Her work with IDPs included not just advocacy but practical assistance—distributing relief materials, supporting education for displaced children, and bringing attention to conditions in IDP camps that government might otherwise neglect.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Estimates of Aisha Buhari’s net worth vary widely, ranging from $10 million to $30 million USD.

This wealth derives from multiple sources:

Income SourceContribution
Beauty businesses (Hanzy Spa & Institute)Primary wealth accumulation before 2015
Real estateProperties in Kaduna, Abuja, and Daura
Book royaltiesIncome from published works
Family investmentsShared assets with late husband
Luxury assetsReported high-end handbags, jewelry, vehicles

Media reports noted Aisha was spotted with handbags valued between $69,000-$89,000 (over ₦40 million naira)—luxury items that generated criticism from Nigerians struggling economically during the Buhari presidency.

I’m passionate about sharing real-life stories that educate, inspire, and connect people. This environment shaped Aisha’s cultural identity and her later advocacy work addressing northern Nigeria’s specific challenges including education access, child marriage, and women’s empowerment.

Aisha’s upbringing in a politically connected family provided insights into Nigerian governance and power dynamics that would later inform her approach as First Lady.

She balances her online presence with her philanthropic work.

  • Marriage & family: On December 16, 2016, , son of billionaire Mohammed Indimi, in a well-publicised Fatiha ceremony at the National Mosque in Abuja, attended by political elites. Zulai also bravely lived with sickle-cell anaemia throughout her life.

  • Passing: She tragically died at age 40 from sickle-cell complications two days after giving birth in a private Kaduna clinic.

    She also addressed false rumors about attempting to poison her husband, explaining that she had to manage gossip and even presidential villa staff restricting her access to parts of the residence.

    First Lady of Nigeria (2015-2023)

    Initial Hesitation and Role Definition

    When Muhammadu Buhari won Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election, he initially announced plans to abolish the Office of the First Lady, which had no constitutional basis and had been criticized as wasteful.

    Fatima Buhari

    Fatima Buhari, the second daughter of Safinatu and Buhari, has maintained a modest presence in the public eye, but her life is far from low-profile.

    While not as visible as her half-siblings, Fatima’s career suggests she’s quietly contributing to national development, which is impactful.

    READ MORE: Buhari says he won't leave any assets for his children to inherit

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    Their union attracted a modest public following, though the couple kept festivities minimal.

  • Profession: Hadiza is involved in civic work; she holds a director position with the Africa Support & Empowerment Initiative (AFRISEI).

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