The death of Nigeria’s former President, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on Sunday, July 13, 2025, has drawn global attention—not just because of his stature as a national leader, but also because of where he passed away: The London Clinic, one of the United Kingdom’s most exclusive and discreet private hospitals.
Known for its ultra-private, world-class healthcare services The London Clinic is no stranger to high-profile names. But Buhari’s death—coming after a reported improvement in his condition—has cast a rare spotlight on this medical sanctuary tucked away in the heart of Central London.
A Hospital for the Powerful and Privileged
Located on Harley Street a historic London district renowned for medical excellence, The London Clinic was founded in 1932 and is one of the UK’s largest independent hospitals. With a legacy of treating royalty, diplomats, billionaires, and former heads of state, it has become synonymous with discretion, sophistication, and specialist care.
Patients aren’t just treated at the London Clinic—they are shielded, often away from public view. No media leaks, no paparazzi, no hospital hustle. Just silence and top-tier medicine.
Former world leaders, Saudi royalty, business moguls, and even Hollywood celebrities have walked through its elegant revolving doors. It is a place where money, power, and privacy meet medicine.
Buhari’s Final Days
Sources close to the late former president said Buhari was “in high spirits” on Saturday, July 12, as he spoke to visitors and even joked with his doctors. According to his long-time associate and nephew, Mamman Daura, Buhari was already preparing for discharge.
But that glimmer of recovery faded too quickly.
By midday Sunday, Buhari suffered a sudden relapse. Efforts to stabilize him reportedly failed, and he was pronounced dead in the early afternoon. The news, confirmed later by family members and Nigerian officials, triggered an outpouring of grief back home, even as questions swirled about the nature of his treatment and the secrecy surrounding it.
At the time of Buhari’s admission, another former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, was also being treated at the facility. Abubakar has since been discharged.
Inside The London Clinic: What Makes It Special?
International Expertise
The London Clinic hosts a team of over 600 consultants many of whom are global leaders in oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and internal medicine. Its ability to draw in multilingual staff and specialists from around the world makes it a go-to destination for international elites.
Unmatched Privacy
No hospital in Britain offers the level of secrecy and personalized care as The London Clinic. From unmarked entrances to private suites with 24-hour butler service, it is designed for dignitaries and royals who require both healing and discretion.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The Clinic boasts state-of-the-art medical equipment, including robotic surgery, advanced diagnostics, and integrated digital patient systems It was among the first to pioneer Proton Beam Therapy in the UK.
Nigerians Abroad: A Legacy of Medical Tourism
Buhari’s death at The London Clinic is also symbolic of a larger, uncomfortable truth—Nigeria’s medical elite continues to rely on foreign institutions for life-saving care.
During his presidency, Buhari made over a dozen medical trips to the UK sparking criticism over his government’s failure to upgrade Nigeria’s own health infrastructure. While Buhari himself often described his health issues as “private,” the irony was never lost on citizens watching their leaders fly abroad for treatment while public hospitals at home crumbled.
A Quiet End in a Quiet Place
In the end, Buhari—Nigeria’s most stoic political figure of the last two decades—breathed his last in a foreign country, far from the crowds that once waited hours in the sun just to see him wave.
But perhaps that was fitting. For a man known for his calm demeanor, rigid privacy, and disdain for flamboyance, The London Clinic offered the perfect backdrop for a quiet, dignified farewell.
