Birth
Born on December 17, 1942 in Daura, Katsina State to Adamu and Zulaihat. He was the 23rd of his father’s children.
Raised by his mother after the death of his father at an early stage of his life
Education
Attended Katsina Provincial College, from where he finished secondary school in 1961.
That year, enrolled at the Nigerian Military Training College, now Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
1962-1963, attended Mons Officers’ Cadet School, Aldershot, England.
1979-1980, attended United States War College, Pennsylvania.
Military career
Became second lieutenant in 1963 and was appointed Platoon Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta. Became brigade major, second sector, First Infantry Division in 1967.
Made brigade major of the Third Infantry Brigade and brigade major/commandant, Thirty-First Infantry Brigade from 1967 to 1971.
Was assistant adjutant-general, First Infantry Division Headquarters from 1971 to 1972. Between 1974 to 1975, acting director, Transport and Supply.
In 1978, was military secretary, Army Headquarters, which made him a member of the Supreme Military Council. Rose to the rank of a colonel in 1979.
In March 1976, became federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources. In 1978, made chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Politics and civilian life
Became military Head of State on December 31, 1983 in a coup that ousted the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.
Overthrown by Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985.
In 1994, Served as chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.
His political ship set sail while he was still active in military service. He was appointed Governor of the North Eastern State in August 1975 after Murtala Mohammed became Head of State in July that year.
In 2003, contested presidential election as the candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).
In 2007, contested presidential election under the platform of the ANPP.
In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP to form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and under it contested the presidential election in 2011.
Religion: Muslim
Family: In 1971, married Safinatu. They divorced in 1988 and she died in 2006.
In 1989, married Aisha.