2025 was characterized by the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past president, on July 13, 2025, which claimed the lives of several Nigerians of all ranks. According to Daily Trust, the most notable fatalities from various backgrounds are listed below:
Buhari Muhammadu
While receiving treatment for his illness, former President Muhammadu passed away in London, UK, on July 13, 2025.
He was a former politician and general who had the honor of leading the nation as its military leader from 1983 to 1985. From 2015 to 2023, he was elected president of Nigeria. He was born in Daura, Katsina State, in 1942.
Adebanjo, Ayo
On April 14, 2025, Ayo Adebanjo, 97, passed away. He was a co-founder of the umbrella Yoruba organization, Afenifere.
He was a well-known nationalist, anti-colonial activist, and advocate for justice and equity in the Nigerian project. He was a journalist who briefly worked for the Ministry of Health before being fired for taking part in demonstrations in favor of independence. He was born in Ijebu Ogbu Oke, which is presently in Ogun State’s Odogbolu LGA.
Clark, Edwin Kiagbodo
Chief Edwin Clark, a former leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Ijaw, passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 97.
From 1966 to 1975, he was the minister of information in General Yakubu Gowon’s military regime.
He was instrumental in the Nigerian federation’s fight for justice and equity. “Brutally Frank: The Autobiography of Edwin Kiagbodo Clark” was written by him. He was from Delta State’s Kiagbodo.
Okupe Doyin
Doyin Okupe, a former medical professional and presidential adviser, passed away on March 7, 2025, at the age of 73 following a lengthy illness.
Working with various presidents and presidential contenders, he was a skilled political strategist. Prior to the 2023 elections, he coordinated the Labour Party’s (LP) campaign in addition to serving as a stand-in vice presidential candidate. He was from Ogun State’s Iperu.
Olunloyo Victor Omololu
On April 6, 2025, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, the former governor of Oyo State, passed away at the age of 90.
He was a well-known mathematician, publisher of numerous works on number theory and applied mathematics, and politician. From October 1, 1983, to December 31, 1983, when General Muhammadu Buhari’s military took over, he was the governor of Oyo State.
Afterwards, he joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State. He was from Oyo State’s Ibadan.
Dozie Pascal
Pascal Gabriel Dozie, the founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, passed away on April 8, 2025, at the age of 85 due to illness.
Chief Dozie held positions as chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was from Imo State’s Owerri.
Chukwu, Christian
Christian Chukwu, a legendary Nigerian football captain, 1980 Nations Cup winner, and former Super Eagles coach, passed away on April 12, 2025, at the age of 74.
He was regarded as one of the first generation of ball-playing defenders, possessing the heart to score crucial goals like a striker, accurate diagonal deliveries to sprinting wingers, and astute anticipation to stop assaults before they became serious. He was from the state of Enugu.
Aminu Jibril
Professor Jibril Aminu, a cardiology professor and former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Maiduguri, passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 85, following an illness. From 1989 until 1992, Aminu served as Minister of Education before becoming Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. In addition to serving as petroleum minister, he presided over the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992 and the African Petroleum Producers Organization from 1991 to 1992. He belonged to the PDP. He was from Adamawa State’s Song LGA.
Uwais, Mohammed Lawal
Mohammed Lawal Uwais, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), passed away on June 6, 2025, at the age of 89.
From 1995 till 2006, he served as CJN. He served as the chair of the highly publicized Uwais Panel Report, an electoral reform commission that suggested extensive changes to Nigeria’s flawed voting system. He was from Kaduna State’s Zaria.
Adebayo Cornelius
Cornelius Adebayo, a former minister of communications and governor of Kwara State, passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 84.
He was elected as a senator in 1979 on the platform of the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and he played a significant part in the Second Republic when democracy came to Nigeria.
From 1975 until 1978, he served as the Kwara Commissioner for Education. His parents are from Oke-Onigbin in Isin LGA of Kwara State, and he was born in Igbaja at Ifelodun LGA.
Dantata Aminu
Aminu Alhassan Dantata, a prominent Nigerian philanthropist and businessman, passed away in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on June 28, 2025, at the age of 94. He was buried in accordance with Islamic customs.
He was a prosperous businessman who funded charitable projects such as the Kano State Foundation, an endowment for educational programs and grants to small business owners. His home state was Kano State.
Rufai, Peter
On July 3, Peter Rufai, also known as Dodo Mayana, the legendary goalie for the Super Eagles, passed away at the age of 61.
After starting his career with Stationery Stores, he spent 20 years competing professionally overseas in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. He was from Lagos State’s Idimu.
Arase Solomon
Solomon Ehigiator Arase, 69, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), passed away on August 31, 2025. He was well known for his intellectual zeal and patriotism. He was from the state of Edo.
Ewuga Solomon
Solomon Ewuga, a senator from Nasarawa North District and a former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, passed away on September 23, 2025, at the age of 70. Because of his ability to lead and his influence on Nasarawa’s political history, he was highly regarded. Ewuga, a member of the Eggon ethnic group in Nasarawa State, was born on June 19, 1955, in Nassarawa-Eggon.
Ibru Oskar
Olorogun Oskar Eyovbirere Ibru, a billionaire businessman and chairman of the Ibru Organization, passed away on September 24, 2025, at the age of 67.
With significant holdings in shipping, oil and gas, real estate, and commerce, Ibru was regarded as the most notable heir to the Ibru Dynasty, which was founded by his late father, Olorogun Michael Ibru, who passed away in 2016. He was from Agbarha-Otor in Delta State’s Ughelli North LGA.
Osayende Parry
On September 28, 2025, Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande, the former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), passed away at the age of 88.
He served as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) until retiring. In the 1980s, he served as the former Bendel State’s Commissioner of Police (CP) during the Lawrence Anini scandal. He was from Edo State in Benin.
The Maduagwu Somtochukwu
On September 29, 2025, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, the news anchor for Arise TV, passed away at the age of 29. She was a model, news anchor, reporter, producer, and lawyer from Nigeria.
She first became well-known in 2023 after placing second in the 11th Miss Tourism Nigeria pageant. She was forced to leap from the third floor of her Katampe District home following an armed robbery, which resulted in her death. She was from Anambra State’s Agulu.
Ukpai Uma
Reverend Uma Ukpai, a well-known Christian cleric, passed away on October 6 at the age of 80. He was a well-liked preacher, evangelist, and leader worldwide. He was from Abia State’s Ohafia.
Ogwu Joy
Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, the former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN), passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 79. In addition to serving as Nigeria’s representative at the UN in New York City, Ogwu was elected president of the executive board of the UN Women Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and was elected president of the UN Security Council in July 2010 and October 2011. Her home state was Delta State.
Feghabo, Walter
On October 19, 2025, Navy Captain Walter Feghabo, who served as the Military Administrator of Delta and Ebonyi states in the 1990s, passed away at the age of 69. He was reassigned to Delta State in 1998 following his political appointments in the states, and he remained there until May 1999, when the nation returned to democratic governance. He was from Bayelsa State’s Nembe.
Alright, Ezea
Okey Ezea, the 62-year-old senator for Enugu North, passed away on November 19. He was renowned for speaking with conviction and principles. He was from the state of Enugu.
Awolowo Segun
Segun Awolowo, a 62-year-old former director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the grandson of nationalist Obafemi Awolowo, passed away on November 20, 2025. His home state was Ogun State.
Dr. Abu Ali Mopa
Dr. Abu Ali Mopa, Estu Bassa Nge Kingdom, passed away on November 24 at the age of 79. From September 1990 until January 1992, he was the Military Administration of Bauchi State. He was a native of Kogi State.
Bauchi, Sheikh Dahiru
On November 26, 2025, a well-known Islamic preacher who belonged to the Tijaniyya Sect, an Islamic Sufi sect, passed away at the age of 98.
He was said to have played a role in the spread of Islam in Nigeria and other countries. He had ninety-five children. His home state was Gombe State.
Ewhrudjakpo Lawrence
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of sixty. Erhudjakpor demonstrated diligence and high standards in his work as a commissioner, senator, and deputy governor. He was from Bayelsa State’s Sagbama.
Baikie Adamu
Adamu Baikie, the first Northern Nigerian professor of education, passed away in Zaria, Kaduna State, on December 12, 2025, at the age of 94. As a reputable university leader, mentor, and administrator at establishments including the University of Benin, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Lesotho, he had a lengthy and significant career.
Tanko Muhammad, Justice
Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), passed away on December 16 at the age of 72.
From 2019 until his resignation in 2022, he served as the CJN. Despite having a turbulent term on the Supreme Court bench, he implemented numerous technological advancements throughout the pandemic. He was from the state of Bauchi.
Nwaoboshi Peter
On December 19, 2025, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwoboshi passed away at the age of 67. Between 2019 to 2023, he served as the PDP’s senator for Delta North. Nwaoboshi was a native of Delta State.
Mbanefo Arthur
Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo, a diplomatic and business titan who was instrumental in both Nigeria’s civil war and the military rule during the constitutional revisions, passed away in December at the age of 95.
Before returning to Nigeria following independence in 1960 and becoming a partner in the firm of Akintola Williams & Co., he worked for reputable accounting firms in Brighton and London after earning his chartered accountancy degree in the United Kingdom in the middle of the 1950s. He was from Anambra State’s Onitsha.
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