Ex-Presidential Aide Sparks Debate on Healthcare After Buhari’s Death

A former presidential aide has reignited public debate over the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system with a controversial remark following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The aide, who served closely under Buhari during his administration, stated pointedly: “Muhammadu Buhari could have long been dead if he had used Nigerian hospitals.”

The comment, made in the wake of national mourning, draws attention to a longstanding criticism of Nigeria’s health infrastructure—one that Buhari himself was frequently at the center of. Throughout his presidency, Buhari made repeated trips to the United Kingdom for extended medical treatment, a decision that sparked both concern and criticism over his government’s commitment to reforming Nigeria’s struggling health sector.

While many Nigerians are paying tribute to the late president’s decades of service, the former aide’s statement has struck a nerve. Supporters of the comment argue that it reflects an uncomfortable but necessary truth: millions of citizens depend on under-resourced, overstretched hospitals, while top officials routinely seek medical care abroad. Critics, however, argue that raising such issues during a national bereavement is in poor taste.

Regardless of timing, the statement has reignited national discourse about healthcare access, government accountability, and the persistent gap between Nigeria’s leaders and the citizens they serve. Buhari’s legacy—now under reflection—includes promises of healthcare reform that many believe fell short of expectations.

As the former president is laid to rest in Daura, Katsina State, the broader question remains: when will Nigeria invest in a healthcare system robust enough to serve both the powerful and the powerless alike?