The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a faith-based human rights organisation, has reaffirmed its recognition of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as the Father of Modern Nigeria, highlighting his infrastructural legacy, anti-corruption stance, and patriotism as key justifications.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, extolled Buhari’s achievements, particularly in the transport and security sectors, described them as “unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history.”
“Hundreds of tributes have been pouring in for the late former President Muhammadu Buhari whose death was announced on Sunday, 13th July, 2025. He died in a London clinic at the age of 82. But none of those tributes has captured vintage Buhari as we know him,” the statement read.
MURIC recalled that the group first conferred the title Father of Modern Nigeria on Buhari in March 2022 after experiencing the newly launched Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail service. The organisation also reiterated the accolade in May 2023 upon Buhari’s exit from office.
“The most outstanding casus belli for calling Buhari the Father of Modern Nigeria are his compelling infrastructural achievements, particularly his breakthrough in rail transportation. Buhari’s train did not stop at Lagos-Ibadan; the Abuja-Kaduna and Itakpe-Warri lines will remain his bold signatures for a long time,” Akintola stated.
The group also hailed Buhari’s anti-corruption credentials and his modest lifestyle despite occupying several high offices, including military governor, head of state, chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), and elected president for eight years.
“Despite all these opportunities to enrich himself, he died leaving behind only two houses he owned before becoming president one in Kaduna and the other in his hometown, Daura,” the statement added.
MURIC further applauded Buhari’s record in improving national security, recalling that he inherited a country where 17 local government areas were under Boko Haram control, with Nigerian soldiers reportedly fleeing to neighbouring countries due to inadequate weaponry.
“But Buhari turned things around. He invested in modern military hardware, such as the American Tucano fighter jets, and restored the confidence of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” the group noted.
Describing Buhari as a man of integrity and patriotism, Professor Akintola said, “He was a leader par excellence, a patriot nulli secundus. He stands tall among other Nigerian leaders, living or dead.”
MURIC concluded the statement with prayers for Buhari’s soul and called on Nigerians to forgive and honour his memory.
“May Almighty Allah forgive him and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. Aamiin,” the statement concluded.
