Femi Adesina, former spokesperson to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that Buhari never owned a personal residence in London, despite his frequent medical visits to the United Kingdom.
In an interview on Channels Television, Adesina dismissed long-standing speculation about Buhari owning property in the UK. He revealed that during his medical trips, the former president stayed at the Nigerian High Commission, often for extended periods.
“At one point, he stayed at the High Commission for several months during an eight-month medical leave,” Adesina said. “He lived in the High Commissioner’s residence for most of that time, and the High Commissioner even moved to a smaller apartment to make room for him.”
Adesina noted that Buhari’s relationship with his UK medical team predated his presidency, which is why he continued seeking treatment there rather than switching providers.
On how Buhari funded his medical care and personal expenses, Adesina said the former president often relied on close associates.
“I doubt he paid the bills himself,” he said. “He had friends like Dangote or General Abdulsalami who would step in. I even know whose private jet he used on his last trip.”
Adesina also addressed criticism over Buhari’s children attending elite schools abroad, saying the former president told him the tuition was also handled by friends.
“He said to me, ‘I don’t know how the fees are paid. My friends take care of it.’ He even pointed me to his brother, Modi, for the details,” Adesina recalled.
He described Buhari as “a man of goodwill, surrounded by loyal and generous allies.”
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