The family of late former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how some close associates and aides allegedly influenced government decisions during his tenure.

In a new biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Charles Omole and launched in Abuja, Buhari’s family, including his wife Aisha and children, alongside former senior officials, shared accounts of how certain individuals controlled access to the president and issued directives to government officials without his direct approval.

According to Premium Times, the book explains that this inner circle, which included Buhari’s relative Mamman Daura, his associate Isa Funtua, and his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, shaped key decisions, from security matters to financial transactions and appointments.

While Daura and Funtua held no official roles, they were reported to have had considerable influence over Buhari, and Kyari’s position as Chief of Staff allowed him to reinforce their directives.

Fatima Buhari, one of the president’s daughters, revealed that she discovered forged documents bearing her father’s signature and noted that speeches and official orders were sometimes altered without his knowledge.

In one incident, a speech delivered in the United States had been changed without Buhari’s approval, reflecting the level of control exerted by the aides.

Former officials, including a past police chief, confirmed that instructions circulated as presidential orders were often not authorized by Buhari.

This practice extended to security operations, appointments, and even foreign exchange matters involving the Central Bank of Nigeria, causing delays and confusion in governance.

Babagana Monguno, former National Security Adviser, recounted clashes with Kyari and Daura, who reportedly blocked funds even after Buhari had approved them, affecting the functioning of the NSA office.

The book described Buhari as a leader who trusted long-time associates and avoided public confrontations, creating room for misuse of authority.

Buhari’s children frequently acted as intermediaries, presenting facts and correcting misinformation to ensure their father was aware of key issues.

The biography provides a detailed look at the inner workings of Buhari’s administration and the influence of personal networks on governance.

The United States government has halted the processing of green card and citizenship applications from Nigerians following Nigeria’s inclusion in an expanded list of countries subject to US immigration restrictions under a directive by President Donald Trump.

According to CBS News, a US official confirmed that the Trump administration instructed the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend the consideration of immigration petitions from nationals of countries newly placed under partial travel restrictions, citing national security concerns and ongoing reviews of vetting procedures.

The new directive follows a presidential proclamation issued earlier this week, which imposed further limitations on nationals of countries identified as having “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” deficiencies that, according to the White House, pose risks to US national security and public safety.

Nigeria is among 15 countries newly subjected to partial travel restrictions.

While the measure does not amount to a full entry ban, it temporarily suspends the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by affected nationals.

President Trump had previously designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on October 31, citing allegations of widespread violence against Christian communities and broader concerns over governance, security, and cooperation with US authorities.

Under the proclamation, countries under a full travel ban include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone.

Nations under partial restrictions now include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The proclamation builds on earlier restrictions announced in June, which had already limited immigration processing for nationals of several countries.

Notably, Laos and Sierra Leone were upgraded from partial restrictions to full bans, prompting USCIS to extend the suspension of immigration benefits, including permanent residency and naturalization applications.

Previously affected nations such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Yemen, and Venezuela remain subject to similar measures.

US officials stated that the suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a comprehensive review of screening and vetting procedures, though no timeline has been given.

The review aims to safeguard the integrity of the US immigration system.

A tribute to Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji, the civil servant, legal luminary, and traditional ruler who transformed Nigeria’s public administration.

Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji (1917–2010) was a distinguished Nigerian public servant, lawyer, businessman, and traditional ruler. Born on July 17, 1917, in Ozubulu, Anambra State, he would go on to become a transformative figure in Nigeria’s civil service and public administration. Widely regarded for his legal acumen, administrative foresight, and ethical leadership, Udoji’s contributions continue to shape governance in Nigeria.

Education and Early Career

Chief Udoji’s commitment to education laid the foundation for his remarkable career. He attended:

St Michael’s Catholic School, Ozubulu

St Charles Teacher’s Training Institute, Onitsha

Driven by a passion for learning, he proceeded to University of Cambridge, England (1945–1948), where he studied law and became one of the first Nigerians to graduate from this prestigious institution. He was subsequently called to the English Bar at Gray’s Inn, London.

Upon returning to Nigeria, Udoji embarked on a stellar career in public service, beginning as a third-class clerk in Western Nigeria. He steadily rose through the ranks:

Personal Assistant to the Provincial Secretary, Western Nigeria

Assistant District Officer, Ekiti Division (1948–1950)

District Officer, Egbado Division (1951–1953)

Permanent Secretary, Eastern Region Ministries of Health, Commerce, Finance, and Establishment (1955–1959)

Chief Secretary and Head of Eastern Nigeria Civil Service (1960–1966)

He briefly practiced law privately (1966–1968) and worked as a consultant for the Ford Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Udoji Award and Civil Service Reforms

The pinnacle of Chief Udoji’s career came in 1972, when General Yakubu Gowon appointed him Chairman of the Public Service Review Commission. The commission, famously known for the “Udoji Award”, undertook a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s civil service, introducing far-reaching reforms:

Salary Reforms: Recommended significant increases in civil servants’ salaries, implemented in 1974, dramatically improving spending power and morale.

Administrative Reorganisation: Advocated for a unified and integrated administrative structure, elimination of inefficiencies, and restructuring of redundant departments.

Training and Capacity Building: Introduced formal civil service training programmes to professionalize public administration.

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Emphasized accountability, elimination of waste, and streamlined governance processes.

The Udoji Award became a benchmark for modernizing public administration and enhancing civil service professionalism in Nigeria.

Business and Traditional Leadership

In addition to his civil service career, Chief Udoji was a successful businessman, engaging in consultancy and strategic advisory roles. He also held the traditional title of Igwe Ozuluoha I of Igboland, reflecting his standing and influence within his community.

Legacy

Chief Jerome Udoji passed away in 2010 at the age of 98, leaving a lasting legacy:

Recognized as a transformative civil servant whose reforms continue to influence Nigerian governance.

Remembered as a legal scholar and administrative strategist, combining Western education with deep understanding of Nigerian socio-cultural dynamics.

Honoured as a traditional ruler, bridging modern governance and indigenous leadership structures.

The Udoji Award remains a defining milestone in Nigeria’s civil service history, symbolizing the pursuit of efficiency, equity, and professionalism in public administration.

Visual Representation

The accompanying image captures Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji in the 1970s, reflecting his stature as a pioneering civil servant, lawyer, and public figure in Nigeria.

Sources

Udoji, J. O. Public Service and Administration in Nigeria (Government Press, Lagos, 1974)

Akinyele, R. Nigerian Civil Service Reforms: The Udoji Experience (University of Ibadan Press, 1990)

Ezeani, Chukwuma. Notable Nigerians in Public Service (Enugu Academic Press, 2005)

National Archives of Nigeria, Lagos & Enugu Records (1960–1975)