The year 2025 recorded the deaths of several Nigerians across politics, business, media and sports.
- 1. Muhammadu Buhari
Former President Muhammadu Buhari died on July 13, 2025, in London, United Kingdom, at the age of 82. He died after a brief illness and was buried on July 15 in Daura, Katsina State. Nigerian and foreign dignitaries attended his burial. - 2. Doyin Okupe
Doyin Okupe, former Director General of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, died on March 7, 2025, in Lagos at the age of 72. He served as spokesperson to former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. He was buried on March 28 in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.
3. Edwin Clark
Former Federal Commissioner for Information Edwin Clark died on February 17, 2025, at the age of 98 in Abuja. He was taken to a private hospital after experiencing breathing difficulty and later died. He was buried on May 13 in Kiagbodo, Delta State.
- 4. Ayo Adebanjo
Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Pan Yoruba socio cultural group Afenifere, died on February 14, 2025, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State. He was 96. He was buried on May 3 in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. - 5. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo died on December 11, 2025, after slumping in his office. Governor Douye Diri ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death and declared three days of mourning in the state. - 6. Cornelius Adebayo
Former Kwara State governor and senator Cornelius Adebayo died on June 25, 2025, at the age of 84. He served as governor during the Second Republic and later as Minister of Communications and Transportation under President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was buried in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State. - 7. Dan Agbese
Journalist Dan Agbese died on November 17, 2025, in Lagos at the age of 81. He worked with The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers, served as General Manager of Radio Benue and co founded NewsWatch magazine, where he later served as editor in chief. - 8. Aminu Dantata
Businessman Aminu Dantata died on June 28, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Born in 1931 in Kano, he was the last surviving child of Alhassan Dantata and uncle to Aliko Dangote. He was buried in Saudi Arabia. - 9. Christian Chukwu
Former Super Eagles captain and coach Christian Chukwu died on April 12, 2025, at the age of 74. He was buried on August 16 in Obe, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. - 10. Omololu Olunloyo
Former Oyo State governor Omololu Olunloyo died on April 6, 2025, at the age of 89. He served briefly as governor in 1983. He was buried on June 26 in Ibadan. - 11. Pascal Dozie
Founder of Diamond Bank and former chairman of MTN Nigeria Pascal Dozie died on April 8, 2025, at the age of 85. He established Diamond Bank in 1990 and later served as chairman of MTN Nigeria. He was born in Egbu, Imo State. - 12. Somtochukwu Maduagwu
Arise News anchor and reporter Somtochukwu Maduagwu died on September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja. She was 29. She was buried on October 18 in Agulu, Anambra State. - 13. Oskar Ibru
Businessman and chairman of the Ibru Organisation Oskar Ibru died on September 24, 2025, at the age of 67 after a brief illness. He was buried on November 27 in Ughelli, Delta State. - 14. Peter Rufai
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai died on July 3, 2025. He represented Nigeria at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. He was buried on August 22. - 15. Segun Awolowo
Segun Awolowo, a lawyer and grandson of former Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, died on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the age of 62. He was buried on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Ikoyi, Lagos.
