How to Pronounce Muhammadu Buhari (Hausa)

Meaning and Context

Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state and democratically elected President of Nigeria, served two consecutive terms from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, completing a historic nine-year tenure that spanned both military and civilian eras. His presidency, under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), followed his election victory over incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, marking the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president in Nigeria's history. Buhari's administration was defined by its core policy pillars encapsulated in the phrases "fight against corruption," "improving security," and "revamping the economy," though these initiatives generated significant debate regarding their efficacy. His legacy is deeply intertwined with Nigeria's challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, economic diversification efforts, and the contentious naira redesign policy implemented near the end of his tenure. As a prominent Hausa-Fulani figure from Katsina State, his career reflects the complex interplay of Nigerian military, political, and regional dynamics.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Muhammadu Buhari. Common misspellings and variations often arise from phonetic interpretations or confusion with similar names. Frequent errors include "Mohammadu Buhari," "Muhammudu Buhari," or "Muhamadu Buhari," where the vowel sounds in the first name are altered. The last name is sometimes misspelled as "Buhari" (omitting the 'h') or "Buhary." Another common typo is "Muhammad Buhari," which drops the terminal 'u' in the first name; this shorter form is also widely used in international media, though "Muhammadu" is the more precise transliteration from Hausa. It is also important to distinguish him from the earlier historical figure, Usman dan Fodio, as some non-specialists may conflate prominent Fulani leaders.

Example Sentences

After being declared the winner of the 2015 presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari delivered an inaugural address famously coining the phrase, "I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

" Throughout his second term, critics often argued that Muhammadu Buhari's economic policies failed to curb rising inflation and unemployment rates.

Historians note that Muhammadu Buhari first came to national prominence as the military head of state from 1983 to 1985 after a coup d'état.

The legacy of Muhammadu Buhari's administration continues to be a central topic in analyses of Nigeria's Fourth Republic.

Supporters frequently credit Muhammadu Buhari with major infrastructure projects, such as the Second Niger Bridge and the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.

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