Buhari @80: Things you probably don’t know about the President

President Muhammadu Buhari is 80 years old today, and prominent Nigerians, including former president Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu have hailed the President, extolling his leadership qualities.

Before becoming the President of Nigeria, Buhari ran for the office in 2003, 2007, and 2011.

In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 general election.

Buhari won the election, defeating the then incumbent president, Jonathan, which was the first time in the history of Nigeria that a sitting president lost a general election.

• Ex-ABU VC, Prof Abdullahi Mahadi, dies at 77
• 457 Nigerians repatriated from Niger, India

Buhari was sworn in on 29 May 2015.

In February 2019, Buhari was re-elected, defeating his closest rival, Atiku, by over 3 million votes.

Daily Trust highlights some things you probably don’t know about President Muhammadu Buhari.

• Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, as the 23rd child of his father, Adamu.

• He was raised by his mother because his father died when he was about four years old.

• The president went to Primary School in Daura and Mai’adua in Katsina State, from 1948 to 1952, before proceeding to Katsina Middle School in 1953.

• He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) from 1956 to 1961.

• On graduating from Secondary School in 1961, Buhari went to the Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963.

• In August 1975, after General Murtala Mohammed took power, he appointed Buhari as Governor of the defunct North-Eastern State, to oversee social, economic and political improvements in the state.

• In 1971, Buhari got married to his first wife, the former first lady, Safinatu Buhari. They had five children together.

• Buhari and his first wife Safinatu got divorced in 1988.

• In December 1989, Buhari got married to his second and current wife, Aisha Buhari. They also have five children together.