The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has expressed shock over the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing the news as “unbelievable.”

 

Former President Buhari passed away on Sunday at a clinic in London following a recent illness. His death was confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by his former media aide, Garba Shehu.

 

In a series of posts on her official X handle, Okonjo-Iweala said she was unaware of Buhari’s deteriorating health and had only just sent him a get-well message before hearing of his passing.

 

“Unbelievable! I did not know just how ill, and minutes after sending my get-well wishes, I have just learned that he passed away,” she wrote. “I am so very sad. May the soul of His Excellency @MBuhari rest in perfect peace. My deepest condolences to the entire Buhari family and his close aides and associates.”

 

She also recalled Buhari’s support during his tenure in helping her attain the WTO’s top job.

 

“I appreciate the support you gave me in my current position during your time in office. Wishing you the very best,” she wrote in an earlier post before learning of his demise.

 

Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler from 1984 to 1985 and two-term democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, died at the age of 82. Tributes continue to pour in from across the globe in honor of the late statesman.