Former Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has revealed that Buhari might not have survived his 2017 health challenges and others if he had relied solely on Nigerian medical facilities.
Adesina made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s special program monitored by IgbereTV discussing Buhari’s legacy as part of his funeral activities. He explained that critics who questioned why the former president sought medical treatment abroad failed to consider his long-standing relationship with foreign healthcare providers.
According to Adesina, Buhari had been receiving medical care in London even before his presidency, and his doctors there were deeply familiar with his health history. He argued that switching to Nigerian hospitals at the time would have been risky due to gaps in infrastructure and expertise.
“If Buhari had depended on Nigerian hospitals in 2017, given the state of our healthcare system then, he might not have made it,” Adesina stated.
The comment has reignited debates about Nigeria’s healthcare system, with many calling for urgent reforms to improve local medical facilities so that even top officials can trust domestic treatment.
Critics, however, argue that the preference for foreign hospitals by Nigerian leaders reflects a failure to prioritize healthcare development in the country.
Buhari’s frequent medical trips to the UK during his presidency had drawn widespread criticism, with many Nigerians demanding better investment in the nation’s health sector
