The BBC’s Will Ross noted the sum amounted to “chicken change” for Nigeria’s political elite, but would be considered a substantial fortune by most citizens in Africa’s largest economy.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari declared just $150,000 in personal savings when he assumed office in 2015, reinforcing his austere image among Nigeria’s political class. His asset declaration included five houses, two mud houses, farms, an orchard, 270 cows, 25 sheep, five horses, and shares in Berger Paints, Union Bank, and Skye Bank. “There are no new houses, no new bank accounts at home and abroad and there are no new shares acquired,” the Presidency confirmed when Buhari submitted his second-term declaration in 2019.
By contrast, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed $1.4 million and multiple properties, reflecting a significant wealth gap within the leadership. Buhari’s modest declaration echoed his anti-corruption promise in 2015, when he alleged $150 billion had disappeared from public coffers. Buhari, Nigeria’s first opposition candidate to win a national election, complied with asset declaration laws under the Code of Conduct Bureau. Late President Umaru Yar’Adua remains the first Nigerian leader to publicly declare assets. READ MORE AT LEGIT
In an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, Adesina dismissed speculations that Buhari had a permanent property in the United Kingdom, explaining that the former President mostly stayed at the Nigerian High Commission during his medical trips.
He said, “There was a time he was in the High Commission for many months when he went on that eight-month medical vacation.
“For about three-quarters of that period, he was in the High Commissioner’s apartment. The High Commissioner even moved to a smaller place so the President could stay in his official residence.”
The former presidential aide noted that Buhari had been consistent with his medical team in London even before becoming President, which explained his preference for treatment in the UK.
“Before he became President, he had always done his medicals in London, the same set of doctors. Those who knew his medical history continued with him instead of starting afresh,” he added.
On the cost of the medical care and other personal expenses, Adesina hinted that Buhari largely depended on the goodwill of wealthy friends.
“I doubt if he paid for those bills himself. President Buhari just needed to call anybody — the Dangotes, the Abdusalamis — and they would oblige. This last trip he made, I know the jets of the person he went in,” Adesina stated.
Reacting to previous controversies over Buhari’s children attending expensive schools abroad, the former presidential spokesman said the former President disclosed that the tuition was not paid from his pocket.
“When I asked him about the noise online over the schools his children attended, he told me, ‘I do not know. It’s my friends that pay it.’ He even said I should go and see Modi, his wise brother, who had the details,” Adesina said.
He described Buhari as “a man of goodwill” who enjoyed unwavering support from his associates throughout his lifetime.