President Tinubu Directs Vice President Shettima To Visit Former Leaders In London Hospitals.
President Bola Tinubu has instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to undertake a significant goodwill mission to London, where he visited two former Nigerian leaders receiving medical treatment. The directive, issued earlier this week, saw Shettima travel from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to check on the health of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, both admitted to hospitals in the British capital.
Shettima, who was in Ethiopia to attend the launch of the country’s Green Legacy Initiative at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, arrived in London on Sunday, 6 July 2025, and visited Buhari the following day. Sources indicate that the Vice President spent several hours with the former president, delivering Tinubu’s message of concern and prayers for a swift recovery. In a gesture of solidarity, Shettima also facilitated a phone call between Tinubu and Buhari, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to supporting its predecessors. Following this, he visited General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was recovering in another London hospital, to extend similar goodwill and ensure support for his medical care.
The presidency described the visits as a private mission, with Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, noting that Shettima’s itinerary was not publicly detailed due to its sensitive nature. The Vice President’s actions reflect President Tinubu’s emphasis on unity and respect for Nigeria’s past leaders, ensuring they receive necessary support during challenging times. Buhari, whose health has been a subject of public interest since his presidency, and Abubakar, who transitioned Nigeria to democracy in 1999, are both reported to be under medical care, with Shettima’s visits aimed at ascertaining their conditions and offering assistance.
This directive underscores Tinubu’s administration’s focus on fostering national cohesion, even as it navigates complex governance challenges. Shettima’s trip, which concluded with his return to Nigeria on Monday, 7 July 2025, has been praised as a demonstration of empathy and leadership. The presidency has urged Nigerians to disregard speculative narratives and continue supporting the administration’s efforts to deliver on its Renewed Hope Agenda, while wishing both former leaders a speedy recovery.