The family of Nigeria’s former President Shehu Shagari is mourning the loss of Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari, his last surviving wife, who died Monday afternoon at the age of 89.
Saratu passed away around 3 p.m. following a prolonged illness, bringing to a close a life that spanned nearly nine decades of Nigeria’s modern history. Her death marks the end of an era for the Shagari family, closing a chapter that connected directly to one of the nation’s most significant political periods.
The announcement came through a statement released by Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, the eldest son of the former president. In his tribute, he painted a portrait of a woman whose influence extended far beyond the public eye. He remembered his mother as “an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength,” qualities that defined her approach to life both during and after her husband’s time in office.
Those who knew Hajiya Saratu often spoke of her preference for staying out of the spotlight, even as her husband led the nation during the Second Republic from 1979 to 1983. She maintained a life characterized by what her family described as “dignity and service,” values that remained constant through the dramatic political changes that marked Nigeria’s journey through military rule and back to democracy.
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The Shagari family has indicated that funeral arrangements are still being finalized, with details expected to be announced soon. Given the family’s prominent place in Nigerian history and Saratu’s connection to the country’s political legacy, the funeral is likely to draw dignitaries and well-wishers from across the nation.
President Shehu Shagari himself passed away in 2018 at the age of 93, leaving behind a complex legacy as Nigeria’s first and only executive president under the Second Republic. His administration ended abruptly with a military coup on New Year’s Eve 1983, led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who would decades later return to lead the country as a democratically elected president.
With Hajiya Saratu’s passing, another direct link to that pivotal era in Nigerian politics has been severed, leaving only memories and the historical record to tell the story.