From long silences that said too much, to tone-deaf quotes like “I’m for everybody and for nobody” or “Lazy Nigerian youths,” the former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari who passed away on Sunday July 13, 2025, gave Nigerians not just governance (for better or worse), but many golden meme-fied moments.
Whether vanishing into thin air during a national crisis or ruling from the UK, Buhari became one of Nigeria’s most memeable figures.
As the country reflects on his legacy, I’ve highlighted one of the most unifying things he left behind: ten of his premium, chaotic, hilarious memes.
10. Buhari 4+4
Origin: This was how Muhammadu Buhari signalled that he was fit to rule for four more years as president during a joint National Assembly session to present the 2019 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly in Abuja in 2018.
Use this meme: When everyone thinks you’re done, but you surprise them with more.
9. Buhari Waves
Origin: This meme is from when he cast his vote in Daura, Katsina, during the 2015 presidential election, which he won.
Use this meme: When you need to say a quick hello and disappear as fast as possible.
8. Buhari’s Mischievous
Origin: This is from the Arise News/ThisDay 90-minute interview that Buhari granted in 2019.
Use this meme: When someone asks you to send them money you don’t have in this Tinubu period.
7. Buhari Shows Teeth
Origin: This is an excited Buhari in 2015 after being announced as the presidential election winner.
Use this meme: When all is going to plan or you feel like the man of the moment.
6. Buhari’s Unimpressed
Origin: This meme is from the presidential primary election of the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party in 2022.
Use this meme: When in situations that aren’t serving you, this is how to show you’re not happy to be there.
5. Buhari Remembers
Origin: This Buhari meme is from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) meeting in Abuja in 2021.
Use this meme: When your team lead asks for an update on a task, and you suddenly remember.
4. Buhari’s Ashamed
Origin: This Buhari meme is from the 2016 “Tackling Corruption Together” Commonwealth conference in London.
Use this meme: When you’re covering your face in shame.
3. Buhari Knows What You Are
Origin: This is from 2015, when Buhari met former US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office to discuss insecurity and improve foreign relations.
Use this meme: When your friend is lying and you know, you can only watch in awe.
2. Buhari Weeps
Origin: On April 14, 2011, two days before the 2011 presidential election, Buhari was moved to tears during the grand finale of his presidential campaign at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. Some said he cried because he knew he would lose the election; others said he wept over the country’s problems. Although he eventually lost the election to Goodluck Jonathan as predicted, his cry became a sensational story, with many implying that he used the cry incident to save face.
Use this meme: When you want to shed crocodile tears or emotionally manipulate others.
1. Buhari Picks Teeth
Origin: This is 2019, when the #RevolutionIsNow protest against his government was ongoing. A visibly unconcerned Buhari was sitting on a sofa, using a toothpick, at Aso Rock. This photo gained virality as a meme after it was posted on X (then Twitter).
Use this meme: To say you’re living a soft life, or to show zero concern even if everything around you is burning.
