{"id":54869,"date":"2025-07-14T11:48:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T11:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/11-achievements-and-controversies-that-shaped-buhari-s-african-legacy\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T13:17:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T13:17:37","slug":"11-achievements-and-controversies-that-shaped-buhari-s-african-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/11-achievements-and-controversies-that-shaped-buhari-s-african-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"11 achievements and controversies that shaped Buhari\u2019s African legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

His tenure from 2015 to 2023 was defined by bold initiatives, regional diplomacy, and domestic challenges with continental implications. While he earned praise for his leadership in regional security and anti-corruption efforts, Buhari also faced criticism over economic protectionism, suppression of dissent, and a perceived reluctance to engage in wider African affairs fully.<\/p>\n

Here are 11 key achievements and controversies that shaped Buhari’s African legacy:<\/p>\n

{{Achievements
\n}}<\/p>\n

{{1. Leadership in Regional Security (ECOWAS Interventions)
\n}}<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s legacy in West African diplomacy is perhaps best illustrated by his active role in preserving constitutional order within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). His government was instrumental in resolving The Gambia\u2019s 2016\u20132017 political crisis, in which long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh refused to step down after losing elections. <\/p>\n

Nigeria, under Buhari\u2019s leadership, mobilised diplomatic and military pressure alongside other ECOWAS states to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to Adama Barrow. Buhari\u2019s insistence on a peaceful resolution, without plunging the region into violence, was widely hailed.<\/p>\n

This leadership was replicated in Mali, where Buhari and Nigeria took a stand following the 2020 military coup. Though not leading ECOWAS at the time, Buhari used Nigeria\u2019s influence to push for the restoration of civilian governance, even as the regional body tried to mediate with the coup leaders. His position reflected an understanding that instability in Mali could spill across borders and threaten regional peace.<\/p>\n

More broadly, Buhari consistently advocated for regional cooperation in responding to political instability and security threats. While some critics felt his approach lacked aggressive follow-through, Buhari\u2019s willingness to position Nigeria as a stabilising force reflected Nigeria\u2019s traditional role as a regional hegemon. His tenure reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to peacekeeping, democracy, and ECOWAS protocols.<\/p>\n

{{2. Counterterrorism collaboration through the MNJTF
\n}}<\/p>\n

One of Buhari\u2019s top priorities after assuming office was counterterrorism, especially the containment and rollback of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). <\/p>\n

Recognising that terrorism respects no borders, Buhari revived and strengthened the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Benin. The task force conducted joint operations that weakened Boko Haram\u2019s territorial control in Nigeria\u2019s northeast and bordering countries.<\/p>\n

This regional collaboration marked a turning point. Whereas earlier efforts under previous administrations were more nationally focused, Buhari’s security strategy acknowledged that Nigeria could not succeed alone. He personally engaged regional leaders to share intelligence, coordinate border patrols, and mobilise funding and logistics for counterinsurgency.<\/p>\n

Despite ongoing attacks, particularly in Borno State and Lake Chad regions, the MNJTF under Buhari\u2019s tenure successfully reclaimed territory and disrupted major insurgent operations. The Buhari government\u2019s leadership in the MNJTF model is now seen as a framework for regional responses to insurgencies elsewhere in Africa, such as the Sahel.<\/p>\n

{{3. The P&ID legal victory
\n}}<\/p>\n

In a landmark moment for Nigeria\u2019s sovereignty and anti-corruption drive, Buhari\u2019s government successfully challenged a $10 billion arbitration award in a UK court.<\/p>\n

The P&ID legal victory culminated in October 2023 when a UK High Court ruled in favour of Nigeria, overturning the massive arbitration award against Process & Industrial Developments Ltd. (P&ID). The dispute stemmed from a failed 2010 gas processing contract, which led to the hefty claim due to alleged non-compliance.<\/p>\n

Under President Buhari, Nigeria aggressively challenged the arbitration, presenting evidence that P&ID engaged in corrupt practices, including bribery and manipulation of the contract and arbitration process. The UK court found these allegations credible and ruled that enforcing the award would violate public policy, effectively nullifying the payout.<\/p>\n

This legal victory significantly boosted Buhari\u2019s anti-corruption agenda and Nigeria\u2019s national sovereignty, preventing a potentially crippling financial loss. Beyond Nigeria, the case resonated across Africa as a precedent highlighting vulnerabilities in international arbitration, encouraging greater vigilance and reform in contract negotiations and enforcement.<\/p>\n

{{4. Promotion of African self-sufficiency through agriculture
\n}}<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s agricultural reforms, including the Anchor Borrowers\u2019 Programme (ABP) and the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, sought to boost Nigeria\u2019s food production and reduce dependence on imports. <\/p>\n

Though domestically focused, these initiatives aligned with broader African Union goals for self-reliance and food security. His government empowered smallholder farmers with access to credit and inputs, helping revive key staples like rice and maize.<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s push for agricultural transformation sparked interest among other African nations, particularly in West Africa. Countries such as Ghana and Senegal examined Nigeria\u2019s policy tools as templates for improving their own rural economies. Nigeria\u2019s food import bill dropped significantly between 2016 and 2020, and Buhari regularly promoted these achievements in regional and AU fora as evidence that Africa could feed itself.<\/p>\n

However, challenges such as poor post-harvest infrastructure, inflation, and insecurity limited long-term gains. Still, Buhari\u2019s push for agriculture laid an ideological marker: that Africa\u2019s prosperity depends less on aid and more on domestic productivity. That message resonated with many African leaders confronting similar food security challenges.<\/p>\n

{{5. Combating corruption on a continental scale
\n}}<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s reputation as a corruption fighter extended beyond Nigeria\u2019s borders. In 2018, he was named African Union Anti-Corruption Champion, a symbolic nod to his high-profile campaigns against graft. He promoted measures such as Nigeria\u2019s Treasury Single Account (TSA) and pursued asset recovery from overseas, including the repatriation of over $300 million in \u201cAbacha loot\u201d from Switzerland and Jersey.<\/p>\n

These actions resonated continentally. Buhari used regional and international platforms, including the African Union summits, to call for cooperation in asset recovery, transparency in public service, and international banking reforms to block illicit flows. His rhetoric found favour among African youth disillusioned by kleptocratic elites and governance decay.<\/p>\n

Yet, Buhari’s anti-corruption stance was not just rhetorical. His administration worked with other African governments to tighten financial regulations and encourage whistleblower policies. Though critics at home questioned the consistency of his enforcement, his image as a corruption fighter elevated Nigeria\u2019s soft power among reform-minded leaders and civil society actors across the continent.<\/p>\n

6. Support for AfCFTA and pan-African economic integration<\/p>\n

Initially hesitant, Buhari signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in 2019 after extensive domestic consultations. Though Nigeria was the last major economy to join, its signature was crucial: without Nigeria\u2019s participation, AfCFTA would have lacked continental weight. Buhari\u2019s eventual support was seen as a commitment to Africa\u2019s collective economic future.<\/p>\n

Before signing, Buhari expressed concern about potential job losses and trade imbalances, fears shared by many African countries. His caution sparked useful debate on how to design AfCFTA to protect weaker economies. After joining, Nigeria took part in technical discussions and policy frameworks that sought to balance trade liberalisation with economic fairness.<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s endorsement of AfCFTA added momentum to the idea of “African solutions to African problems”, not just politically but economically. By the time he left office, Nigeria was positioning itself as a future trade hub, with a growing emphasis on infrastructure, border digitisation, and export-led growth aligned with the AfCFTA vision.<\/p>\n

{{Controversies}}<\/p>\n

1. Persistent insecurity and expansion of non-state actors<\/p>\n

Despite gains against Boko Haram, Nigeria remained plagued by widespread insecurity during Buhari\u2019s presidency. Kidnappings, banditry, and violent clashes between farmers and herders spread from the northeast to the north-central and southern regions. The rise of non-state actors created a climate of fear and lawlessness, undermining national and regional stability.<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s critics argued that his administration was reactive rather than proactive in dealing with security threats. While the military launched offensives, they were often under-resourced or hampered by poor coordination. In many rural areas, local populations felt abandoned, leading to the emergence of vigilante groups and further erosion of state authority.<\/p>\n

Regionally, Nigeria\u2019s instability had cross-border consequences. Armed groups and displaced persons moved into Niger and Cameroon, straining diplomatic and humanitarian capacities. Observers feared that Buhari\u2019s failure to resolve Nigeria\u2019s internal security crisis weakened his credibility as a regional security anchor.<\/p>\n

{{2. Human rights concerns and police brutality (EndSARS)
\n}}<\/p>\n

The October 2020 #EndSARS protests, sparked by police brutality, especially by the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), marked a turning point in Buhari\u2019s international image. Though initially praised for allowing youth protests, the violent crackdown at the Lekki Toll Gate, where security forces allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, triggered global outrage.<\/p>\n

Buhari\u2019s delayed response and refusal to acknowledge the alleged shootings intensified tensions. International bodies, including the United Nations and African Union, expressed concern over human rights abuses and shrinking civic space in Nigeria. The government\u2019s dismissal of some reports and reliance on state media narratives further deepened public mistrust.<\/p>\n

Across Africa, the EndSARS movement resonated with youth confronting similar police abuses. Buhari\u2019s perceived mishandling of the crisis stained his reputation as a democratic leader and empowered regional autocrats to justify harsh crackdowns on dissent by citing security concerns.<\/p>\n

{{3. Protectionist border closure and trade fallout
\n}}<\/p>\n

In 2019, Buhari controversially closed Nigeria\u2019s land borders to curb smuggling and protect local producers. The move, lasting over a year, was meant to enforce customs regulations and encourage self-reliance. However, it had negative consequences for neighbouring countries like Benin, Togo, and Ghana, who relied on Nigeria\u2019s market.<\/p>\n

ECOWAS protocols promoting free movement and regional integration were effectively suspended by Nigeria\u2019s unilateral action. Small traders and transporters across West Africa bore the brunt, as border communities plunged into economic distress. Critics argued that the closure contradicted Buhari\u2019s commitment to AfCFTA and regional cooperation.<\/p>\n

Though Buhari eventually reopened the borders in late 2020, the policy left a bitter aftertaste. It showcased how Nigeria\u2019s domestic economic decisions could upend regional stability. Buhari\u2019s border closure is now frequently cited in discussions on the need for continental trade rules that balance national interests with regional obligations.<\/p>\n

{{4. Twitter ban and digital repression
\n}}<\/p>\n

In June 2021, Buhari\u2019s government banned Twitter after the platform deleted a tweet deemed inciting violence. The ban lasted for seven months and was condemned globally as an attack on freedom of expression and digital rights. Nigeria\u2019s youth, entrepreneurs, and activists\u2014many of whom relied on Twitter for work, advocacy, and mobilisation\u2014were most affected.<\/p>\n

The government justified the ban by accusing Twitter of undermining Nigeria\u2019s sovereignty and threatening national unity. It demanded that the platform register locally and comply with Nigerian laws. Though eventually lifted in January 2022 after negotiations, the ban raised fears of increasing digital authoritarianism.<\/p>\n

Other African governments took note. Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ethiopia, among others, would later invoke \u201cnational security\u201d to justify internet shutdowns and censorship. Buhari\u2019s digital crackdown thus unintentionally set a precedent for state-led internet repression in Africa\u2019s fledgling democracies.<\/p>\n

{{5. Selective anti-corruption enforcement
\n}}<\/p>\n

While Buhari\u2019s anti-corruption rhetoric won praise, critics frequently pointed to selective enforcement. High-profile opposition figures were often investigated, arrested, or prosecuted, while alleged corruption within the ruling party appeared overlooked. This dual standard raised questions about the true impartiality of his campaign.<\/p>\n

Several corruption scandals involving Buhari\u2019s appointees, such as the mismanagement of funds in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), drew public ire. Yet, accountability for those within the president\u2019s political camp was inconsistent.<\/p>\n

This perceived bias undermined Buhari\u2019s message of reform. Regionally, while some countries admired his stance, others pointed to the flaws as justification for inaction. His legacy, therefore, remains one of aspirational anti-corruption leadership\u2014inspiring, but not entirely credible in execution.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria\u2019s former president, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London, leaves behind a legacy marked by both notable achievements and deep controversies. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000090874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[75],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-54869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics-48","tag-homenews","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000090874,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/buhari-2_logo.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54869\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000090874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54869"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=54869"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=54869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}