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BIOGRAPHY AND LIFE OF NIGERIAN PRESIDENT, MUHAMMADU BUHARI GFR

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BIOGRAPHY AND LIFE OF NIGERIAN PRESIDENT, MUHAMMADU BUHARI GFR

Since taking office in 2015 as the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GFR (born December 17th, 1942) has served till date. From December 31, 1983, to August 27, 1985, he was Nigeria’s military head of state, after a military coup d’état saw him take power. As a result of his military government’s dictatorial practices, the name Buharism has been coined.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari campaigned for office three times: in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He was announced as the All Progressives Congress’s presidential contender for the 2015 general election in December 2014. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari in the election. This was the first occasion an incumbent president lost a general election in Nigeria’s history. His inauguration took place on May 29, 2015. Over 3 million votes separated Buhari from his closest competitor, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in the February 2019 presidential election.

 

Early life

Mallam Hardo Adamu was a Fulani chieftain from Dumurkul in Mai’Adua and Zulaihat had Hausa and Kanuri roots. Buhari was born on December 17th, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, to Zulaihat and Mallam Hardo Adamu. He is the father’s twenty-third child and was given the name Muhammad al-Bukhari in honor of the Persian Islamic philosopher who lived in the ninth century. Buhari was just four years old when his father died and was reared only by his mother. In 1953, he graduated from Daura and Mai’adua elementary schools and went on to Katsina Middle School and the Katsina Provincial Secondary School, both in Katsina State.

 

Military career

At 1962, at the age of 19, Muhammadu Buhari enrolled in the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC). Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was established in February 1964, when the institution was renamed the Nigerian Defense College (NDC).

From 1962 to 1963, Buhari was a cadet at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, where he received military training.

At the age of 20, Buhari was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and assigned command of a platoon in the Nigerian army’s Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta in January 1963. Buhari attended the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna, from November 1963 to January 1964. The Army Mechanical Transport School at Borden, United Kingdom, offered a Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course in 1964, which he took advantage of to expedite his military training.

As commander of the Second Infantry Battalion from 1965 to 1967, Buhari was promoted to brigadier general in April 1967 and remained in that position until July 1967. Immediately after the deadly 1966 Nigerian coup d’état, which culminated in the murder of the country’s premier, Ahmadu Bello As part of the July counter-coup that deposed General Aguiyi Ironsi and replaced him with Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Lieutenant Buhari and numerous young officers from Northern Nigeria participated.

 

Head of State (1983–1985) 

Decree No. 2 of 1984 gave the state security and chief of staff the authority to imprison for up to three months, without trial, anyone who were regarded a danger to the state’s security. Activists were prohibited from participating in protests or strikes, and the National Security Organization (NSO) of Nigeria was given unprecedented authority. By threatening, harassing, and imprisoning anyone who defied the ban on strikes, the NSO had a significant impact on public opposition. Around 200,000 public workers were let off by October 1984. Buhari launched a counterattack against the established order. During his first 20 months in office, he sentenced more than 500 lawmakers, government officials, and business leaders to prison for corruption. Detainees were freed after consenting to specific terms and surrendering money to the authorities. Fela Kuti, one of the regime’s most vocal adversaries, was imprisoned. He was detained at the airport on September 4, 1984, as he was ready to begin a tour of the United States. According to Amnesty International, the allegations against him for unlawfully exporting foreign cash are “spurious”. By enforcing Decree Number 2’s broad powers, the authorities jailed Fela for five years. After 18 months, the Buhari dictatorship was ousted, and he was freed.

The Protection Against False Accusations Decree, issued by Buhari in 1984, is regarded by experts to be Nigeria’s most oppressive press legislation. “Any person who publishes any message, rumor, report or statement which is false in any material particular or which brings or is calculated to bring the Federal Military Government or the Government of a state to ridicule or disrepute, shall be guilty of an offense under this Decree,” read Section 1 of the law. To make things even more clear, the law stipulates that anyone found guilty of violating this provision will face trial before an open military tribunal, whose decision is final and cannot be challenged in any court. Those found guilty will be subject to a $10,000 fine and a two-year prison sentence.

 

Elections and presidential campaigns

All Nigeria People’s Party candidate Muhammadu Buhari competed in the 2003 presidential election (ANPP). President Olusgun basanj of the People’s Democratic Party beat him by more than 11 million votes.

2003 presidential election

On December 18, 2006, the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) unanimously chose Buhari as their presidential candidate. In the April 2007 elections, he faced off against the incumbent PDP candidate, Umaru Yar’Adua, who was also from Katsina. Yar’Adua won 70 percent of the vote, while Buhari challenged the official results, taking 18 percent of the vote. He advocated for a government of national unity after taking power, in order to get on board the disgruntled opposition members. As part of Yar’Adua’s cabinet, the ANPP’s national chairman was appointed, but Buhari disavowed this deal.

2011 presidential election

After helping to create the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari quit the ANPP in March 2010. CPC was founded as a “response to crippling, ethical and ideological problems in my previous party the ANPP,” he stated, according to an interview.

On November 7, 2011, Buhari ran for President of the United Republic of Nigeria (RUN) against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP), ACN presidential candidate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (ACN), and ANPP candidate Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP). They were the leading competitors out of a field of 20. Buhari ran for president on an anti-corruption platform, promising to strip government officials of their immunity. The application of Sharia law in northern Nigeria, which had previously given him political troubles with Christian voters in the country’s south, was also something he favored.

At least 800 people were killed when Buhari supporters assaulted Christian communities in the country’s central area during the elections due to rampant sectarian violence. A large chunk of the rebellion, which lasted three days, was attributed to Buhari’s agitating remarks. “If what occurred in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon will all be saturated in blood.” notwithstanding Human Rights Watch’s assurances that the elections were “among Nigeria’s fairest in its history.”

Because of his outspokenness against corruption, Buhari has been dubbed a “folk hero” by some. Jonathan, with a total of 22,495,187 votes, was named the victor with a victory total of 12,214,853 votes.

2015 presidential election

Buhari was a candidate for the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 presidential election. In spite of his reputation as an anti-corruption crusader, he declared he would not investigate corrupt leaders from the past and would provide amnesty to anyone who remorse their actions if they repented.

Campaigners for Jonathan in the run-up to the 2015 election requested that Buhari be disqualified because of constitutional violations. To be eligible for the position of president, one must be “educated up to at least School certificate level or its equivalent,” as stated in the founding constitution. When he was ousted from power in 1985, Buhari claimed that the original copies of his degrees had been destroyed when his residence was invaded.

After the abduction of the Chibok girls in May 2014, Buhari issued a statement condemning the Boko Haram insurgency. He “urged Nigerians to set aside religion, politics, and all other differences in order to combat the insurgency he claimed is fostered by dumb bigots posing as Muslims.” He stated. 82 people were murdered when Boko Haram bombed Kaduna in July 2014, but President Muhammadu Buhari escaped with his life. Buhari promised in December 2014 that if elected president, he will do more to protect Nigerians. Due to Jonathan’s apparent incapacity to combat the Boko Haram, Buhari’s support ratings soared after this declaration. During his campaign, Buhari focused heavily on ensuring national security and eradicating the violent organization. “The Movement for Niger Delta Emancipation” (MEND), a militant organization, backed Buhari in January 2015.

Former Obama campaign manager David Axelrod and his AKPD firm temporarily assisted Buhari’s campaign. Olusegun Obasanjo resigned from the PDP in February 2015 and backed Muhammadu Buhari, the new leader of Nigeria’s opposition.

To acknowledge and congratulate Buhari on his victory, Jonathan contacted him on March 31st. The swearing-in ceremony for Buhari took place on May 29th, 2015, and at least 23 heads of state and government were present.

Presidency (2015–2023) 

Economic growth during Obama’s first term has averaged 0.9 percent, unemployment is at a record 23 percent, and millions have fallen into poverty. As a result of his apparent lack of energy and thoughtful decision-making, Buhari has lost followers since 2015.

Commodity prices fell sharply in Nigeria’s first year under President Muhammadu Buhari, triggering an economic slump. Buhari travelled to 20 nations in an effort to raise money to cover a deficit in income and support an expansionary capital program. As a result, funding for infrastructure development was postponed until a later date.

Naira, Nigeria’s currency, fell in value on the black market during the first year of the government, causing a disparity between the official exchange rate and the black-market rate. Several firms, particularly gasoline merchants, were affected by a lack of foreign currency as a consequence. The president’s anti-corruption reputation was tarnished when well-connected people were able to profit from arbitrage because of the wide disparity between official and black market pricing. The official pump price of petroleum was raised in May, 2016, by the government, in order to prevent a deficit in the commodity due to foreign currency constraints.

The country’s GDP shrank by 1.6% in 2016, and 2017 is expected to see zero increase in terms of per capita income. As with his first term in office, President Buhari’s second term began with a decrease in oil prices. Despite this, his administration has made no attempt to diversify the sources of government revenue. Infrastructural projects including new roads, bridges, and power plants were prioritized in the 2018 budget as a sign of fiscal growth.

The country’s GDP growth has been lagging behind several of its continental neighbors since an upturn in economic development after the downturn of 2016. The unemployment rate has remained high, and the government’s deficit expenditure includes a large percentage of its annual budget devoted to servicing debts, which have not improved.

It was Buhari’s policy with the cooperation of the Central Bank head to promote agricultural output by lobbying private banks and restricting foreign currency at official rates for importation of food products that are cultivated in Nigeria. Budget Minister Udo Udoma and Trade Minister Enemalah were not re-elected in his second term, despite their support for economic liberalization.

After the first term ended, despite criticism that the currency rate system was vulnerable to arbitrage and round tripping by government friends, the government continued to adopt variable exchange rates.

 

Personal life

Family

Safinatu (née Yusuf), Buhari’s first wife, wed him in 1971. Couples that have children together have a total of five: four girls and a boy. In honor of Buhari’s mother, Zulaihat (Zulai) was given to the couple’s first child. Fatima, Musa (dead son), Hadiza, and Safinatu are their other children. The former first lady, Safinatu, died of diabetic problems on January 14, 2006. During the month of November 2012, Zulaihat (née Buhari) Junaid, Buhari’s first daughter, succumbed to sickle cell anemia only two days after giving birth at the Kaduna Hospital.

First wife Safinatu and Buhari separated in 1988. Aisha Buhari (née Halilu), Buhari’s second and current wife, married him in December 1989. Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zahra, and Amina are the names of their five children. During the month of August 2021, Yusuf tied the knot with Zahra Bayero, the daughter of Emir Nasiru Ado Bayero.

 

Wealth

There were five dwellings, two mud huts, farms, orchards and a ranch with more than 300 head of cattle, 25 sheep and five horses, stakes in three companies and two undeveloped parcels of property that Buhari had purchased with savings in 2015, when he reported US$150,000 in cash.

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TECHNOLOGY

Europe’s Network and Information Security (NIS2) directive raises the stakes for African businesses to comply with European Union’s (EU) cyber security standards

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Issam-El-Haddioui- (1)

The European Union’s NIS2 cyber security  directive has significant implications for African businesses trading with the continent.  This is according to Check Point Software Technologies (www.CheckPoint.com), a leading AI-powered cloud-delivered cyber security provider, which urges African businesses with strong ties to the EU to take steps to comply with this new, stringent cyber security regulation.

The European Union’s NIS2 Directive, came into effect this month and requires member states to amend their national legislation. The NIS2 Directive imposes strict cyber security requirements, including enhanced management liability, reporting to authorities, risk management, and business continuity planning, placing African companies trading with the EU under increased scrutiny.

CheckPoint-NIS2-infographic-EN (1)

The NIS2 Directive builds upon the original NIS1 Directive introduced in 2016, expanding its scope to cover a wider range of sectors including Energy, Banking, Transport, Digital Infrastructure, Healthcare, Food Production, and Research. More than 80% of European enterprises are now within the scope of this legislation, which extends to global supply chain partners—including many businesses in Africa.

Collins Emadau, Check Point Partner and Director at Westcon, explains, “Europe is still Africa’s leading trading partner. African businesses, particularly in leading economies such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, need to understand the far-reaching impact of NIS2. Compliance is not just about meeting EU standards—it’s about securing their future in a globalised market. Failure to comply will result in not only heavy fines but also the potential loss of critical trade partnerships with EU member states.”

What’s at Stake for African Businesses?

The EU remains the largest trading partner for Africa, with over 18 Economic Partnership Agreements and trade worth billions annually. African businesses, especially in sectors like Energy, Banking, Transport, and Manufacturing, are key partners in the EU’s supply chains. To continue doing business with EU companies, African organisations must comply with NIS2, which mandates strict cyber security measures to protect critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Issam El Haddioui, Head of Security Sales Engineering:  Africa, Check Point Software Technologies, says, “NIS2 sets a new standard for cyber security, and African businesses must act now. Many organisations are unaware of the depth of these requirements, which go beyond local regulations. Compliance is essential not only for maintaining business relationships with the EU but also for enhancing the overall resilience of African economies against cyber threats.”

Compliance will exact a cost for African organisations, which according to Interpol’s 2021 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, spends an average of only 0.05% of their revenue on cyber security, far below the global average of 0.3-0.5%.  The Report also estimated the financial impact of cyber crime in the region at over $4 billion USD, representing about 10 percent of Africa’s total GDP.

Tougher Penalties and Personal Responsibility

NIS2 introduces personal liability for business leaders in the event of a cyber attack, meaning that executives themselves can be held financially accountable for breaches. Penalties include fines of up to EUR 7 million or 1.4% of a company’s global annual turnover, whichever is higher. This goes beyond the GDPR, placing even more responsibility on corporate leadership to ensure robust cyber security practices are in place.

NIS2 mandates that organisations must report cyber incidents to authorities promptly and inform their stakeholders, suppliers, and customers. Therefore, African businesses must ensure they have a comprehensive incident response plan in place, along with regular cyber security training for both IT and leadership teams.

Steps for African Businesses to Ensure Compliance

To successfully implement NIS2 and avoid devastating penalties, Check Point recommends the following four steps for African businesses:

  1. Knowledge: Business leaders must gain a basic understanding of cyber security to effectively communicate with their IT teams and ensure sound decision-making.
  2. People: Establish an agile IT security department, including key roles such as a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), to manage and distribute responsibilities efficiently.
  3. Audit: Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring is essential to stay compliant with evolving threats.
  4. Incident Management: Develop clear procedures for responding to cyber incidents, including swift reporting to national authorities, suppliers, and stakeholders.

Long-Term Commitment to Cyber Security

Compliance with NIS2 is not a one-time process; it requires a long-term commitment to cyber security. From 2028, organisations will be required to annually document their NIS2-compliant IT infrastructure and demonstrate that their cyber security measures are aligned with the latest technological advancements.

“African countries, especially economic leaders like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, should also consider using the NIS2 framework as a model for strengthening their own national cyber security regulations. By improving cyber-readiness, African businesses can not only comply with international standards but also protect their data, operations, and reputations from evolving threats,” El Haddioui continues.

El Haddioui, concludes, “The NIS2 Directive marks a significant shift in the cyber security landscape. African business leaders must recognise that cyber security is now a matter of survival, not just compliance. By taking proactive measures, they can safeguard their future, avoid heavy penalties, and ensure their organisations thrive in an increasingly interconnected global economy.”

CheckPoint-NIS2-infographic-EN (1)

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd..

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TECHNOLOGY

VFS Global appointed to roll out Australian biometric collection centres in Sub-Saharan Africa

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With the recent addition of Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, VFS Global has become the exclusive biometrics collection service provider to Australian visa applicants across all nine regions globally.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 16, 2024/ —

Services to be rolled out at 12 locations in seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by February 2025

VFS Global becomes the exclusive biometric collection service provider for Australian applicants in all the nine regions globally – ​Americas, Europe, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, Pacific, South Asia, South East Asia, North Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa

Core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance.
Additional (as required services) include remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery.

The Department of Home Affairs, Australia has appointed VFS Global to provide biometric collection services for Sub-Saharan Africa. VFS Global is the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. This is in addition to the seven regions awarded in August 2023 to provide biometric collection services –the Americas, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. With the recent addition of Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, VFS Global has become the exclusive biometrics collection service provider to Australian visa applicants across all nine regions globally.

The Sub-Saharan Africa region includes seven countries in total with Australian Biometric Collection Centre services to be rolled out at 12 locations in 13 countries by February 2025. This includes setting up Centres in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

According to the agreement, VFS Global’s core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance on the Department’s ImmiAccount portal. The company would also provide additional (as required services) such as remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery.

“We are pleased to extend our Agreement with VFS Global to include Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. We will continue to work closely with VFS Global to ensure the delivery of high-quality biometric collection and visa support services for our visa applicants worldwide.” said Anthony Phillips, Director Offshore Service Delivery Partners Section, Department of Home Affairs.

“Securing these two regions is a testament to our dedication, expertise, commitment to excellence, and trusted partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. This decision not only reflects our ability to meet highest standards but also reinforces our resolve to deliver innovative solutions. Under the Department’s guidance, we will continue to elevate the experience of Australian applicants across the world,” said Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFS Global.

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ENVIRONMENT

Nigerian Company MMNL to invest $50 Million to scale up its Tubular Batteries Production to 100,000 with backward integration in Next 5 years

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Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL); also ventures into multiple business verticals in backward & forward integration

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL); also ventures into multiple business verticals in backward & forward integration and into the Mining segment to stay ahead of its competitors

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL); also ventures into multiple business verticals in backward & forward integration

To cater to the rapidly growing demand of Nigeria’s energy sector; Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL), Nigeria’s largest tubular battery company is aiming to double its expansion capacity to 60,000 pcs per Month in the next financial year. The company is planning to invest around $50 million in capacity expansion, new greenfield projects in the energy backup segment, R&D, Mining & Beneficiation, Plastic container and carton manufacturing units along with brand building and channel partner engagement to accelerate its ambitious growth target. 

 

Being the First Company to produce the Tubular Batteries in Nigeria; MMNL have had its fair share of challenges & hurdles. Over the past 5 years, MMNL has conquered several obstacles including a lack of skilled manpower, a duopoly of supply chain vendors, hurdle of sourcing raw materials, unstable power supply, exorbitant hike in electricity tariff & gasoline price and machinery and scarcity of spare parts in the region. Despite of providing thousands of employments of opportunity; battery manufacturing sector is struggling for survival and desperately in need of government policy support such as raising import duty of foreign importers and export duty for raw materials.

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL); also ventures into multiple business verticals in backward

These problems would often demoralize and demotivate any company in tubular battery manufacturing sector and make it unviable for any business to operate in such a situation. Despite their 14 years of manufacturing experience in Nigeria, it found itself in a despondent situation which has led the company to explore other verticals to optimize the supply chain cycle. MMNL has taken several initiatives to address the stated challenges. For example, to address the issue of lack of skilled manpower, the company has conducted hundreds of technical training sessions to locals to enhance & upgrade their skill set and it is continuing to invest in manpower training. Similarly to ensure a steady supply of raw materials, the company has ventured into the mining business, beneficiation plant and other business verticals like plastic container & carton manufacturing. The company has also launched its dedicated service centre to resolve customer issues.

 

“Despite several challenges; the company has achieved stable production of 30,000 units per Month by 2024. MMNL is proud of the fact that it is the first & only Made-in-Nigeria inverter battery company which dominates over 35% to 40% of market share. It means every 5 batteries sold in Nigeria; 2 batteries are from MMNL”, said Mr. Amit Kumar, CEO of Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited. “As an Industry leader; company is continuously striving to delight the customer with quality and innovation in the product and making significant contributions in local employment opportunity as well as saving foreign exchange” 

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL); also ventures into multiple business verticals in backward & forward integration and into the Mining segment to stay ahead of its competitors

MMNL is bound to focus on completing its end-to-end supply chain cycle with a backward and forward integration expansion to proliferate its growth plan and to survive in the highly volatile environment. MMNL has already invested $25 million in Battery production, lead & Oxide manufacturing plant in Shagamu, Ogun state. MMNL’s current production capacity is 30,000 units of inverter batteries. Company is all set to boost its battery production capacity to 60,000 at the start of the new financial year and over 100,000 production capacity by opening a new battery greenfield production plant by 2027-2028 along with backward integration including lead-zinc ore mining and beneficiation. 

 

To make the brand available and accessible for the end customers across Nigeria, MMNL is also expanding geographically across the country, forging multi-channel partnerships, executing its retail strategy and to make use of eCommerce & digital channels.

 

Being an Industry leader with 14 years of manufacturing experience in Nigeria; MMNL has certainly created a high entry barrier for both existing and new players which are considering to start their tubular battery manufacturing operation. Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited is a shining example of how a true leader can sail through turbulence of political, economical, social & technological hurdles.

 

About Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL)

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL) is the largest tubular battery manufacturing company

Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited (MMNL) is the largest tubular battery manufacturing company.  MMNL is the most trusted and ‘Proudly Made in Nigeria’ brand with over 14 years of industry experience. Recently; MMNL won 3 awards in a row 1) ECOWAS Inverter Battery Company of the Year 2) ECOWAS Inverter Battery Manufacturing Company of the year and 3) ECOWAS Renewable Company of the year. MMNL provides over 1000 direct and indirect local employment opportunities.

The Company also got pioneer status accreditation from Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). Currently MMNL is present across 6 major locations along with a strong network of channel partners consisting 3000+ Installers, 1000+ Dealers and 100+ Distributors and over a half million of satisfied & happy customers.

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