With ICU stays costing up to £3,500 per night, The London Clinic is a sanctuary for the world’s elite—but it was where Nigeria’s former president lost his final battle
LONDON – The London Clinic, where former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari died on Sunday, is one of the world’s most exclusive private hospitals—a discreet medical sanctuary for royalty, billionaires, and global leaders. With intensive care stays costing up to £3,500 per night, the Harley Street facility combines cutting-edge treatment with five-star privacy, making it the preferred choice for those who can afford its premium care.
A Hospital for the Powerful
Buhari, 82, had been a frequent patient at The London Clinic, spending over 230 days there during his eight-year presidency. His final admission came alongside former Nigerian Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who recovered and was discharged. But Buhari’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
“He was in high spirits on Saturday evening,” his nephew, Mamman Daura, recounted. “By Sunday afternoon, he was struggling to breathe. The doctors did everything, but he passed away by 4:30 PM.”
Where Kings and Presidents Are Treated
Established in 1932, The London Clinic is the UK’s largest independent private hospital, renowned for specialties like cancer care, robotic surgery, and complex spinal procedures. Its clientele includes British royalty—King Charles III, the late Princess Margaret, and Prince Philip have all been treated here. Foreign leaders, including Chile’s Augusto Pinochet and former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, have also sought care within its walls.
The clinic boasts 10 operating theatres, 13 ICU beds, and a team of 900 elite consultants. “This isn’t just a hospital; it’s where the global elite come when they need the absolute best,” a UK-based Nigerian doctor familiar with the facility told Saturday PUNCH. “A standard room costs £1,000 per night. The ICU? That’s £3,500. And that’s before treatment fees.”
High-Tech Care at a Premium
The clinic’s advanced technology includes da Vinci surgical robots, 3T MRI scanners, and PET-CT imaging—equipment often unavailable in public healthcare systems. Its intensive care unit claims a mortality rate in the “top 10% nationally,” according to its website.
Yet, despite its prestige, The London Clinic has faced scrutiny. Earlier this year, staff were investigated for allegedly accessing Princess Kate Middleton’s medical records after her abdominal surgery.
Buhari’s Longstanding Ties to the Clinic
Buhari’s repeated visits to The London Clinic, both during and after his presidency, underscored his reliance on its services. While Nigeria’s Remuneration of Former Presidents Act entitles ex-leaders to state-funded medical care, the exact cost of his final treatment remains undisclosed.
For a man who kept his health struggles private, The London Clinic provided discretion alongside world-class care. But in the end, even its elite expertise could not alter fate.
“It’s where money meets medicine at the highest level,” the Nigerian doctor said. “But some battles, no matter the cost, cannot be won.”