Human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu has responded to the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital by issuing a pointed reminder to Nigeria’s current rulers. On X (formerly Twitter), Odinkalu wrote:
“#Nigeria’s current rulers may need to be reminded: Those who die in foreign hospitals only get to return to the country as cargo. They don’t pass through @immigrationng. Rather we clear them through @CustomsNG as import. If you don’t want this, build a hospital that can work for you.”
Odinkalu’s message underscores the ongoing debate about Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and the tendency of Nigerian elites to seek medical treatment abroad. The death of Buhari in a foreign clinic has reignited calls for the government to invest in and improve domestic healthcare facilities to prevent such outcomes and ensure dignified care within the country.
This reaction reflects broader public frustration over the state of Nigeria’s health sector and the symbolic implications of prominent figures dying overseas. It serves as a stark admonition to Nigerian leaders about the urgent need to prioritize healthcare development for all citizens.
Buhari’s passing in London, confirmed by his spokesperson Garba Shehu on July 13, 2025, has sparked nationwide reflection on leadership, legacy, and systemic challenges facing Nigeria, including healthcare shortcomings.
