25 ministers deployed to Katsina as Tinubu leads national farewell for former leader

The Federal Government has announced comprehensive state burial arrangements for former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the constitution of a high-powered inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris disclosed that the late president’s remains will arrive Katsina via a high-level delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima from London on Tuesday at noon. President Bola Tinubu will personally receive the casket at the airport, where a military ceremony will be held before the body is transported to Daura for Janazah prayers and burial at the family compound.

The burial committee comprises 16 top officials including security chiefs, key ministers, and presidential aides, with 25 federal ministers directed to remain in Katsina through Wednesday’s third-day prayers. All government offices nationwide will observe Tuesday’s public holiday with flags at half-mast during the seven-day mourning period.

Condolence registers have been ordered opened at all federal MDAs, the Abuja International Conference Centre, and Nigerian embassies worldwide. The postponed Federal Executive Council meeting will now hold Friday to allow full participation in the burial rites.

“The world has recognized President Buhari’s legacy through condolence messages from global leaders,” stated Idris, urging Nigerians to honor the former leader’s memory through peaceful reflection. The ceremony marks Nigeria’s first full state funeral for a democratically-elected former president in over a decade.