Buhari Said Children Must Earn Their Future Through Education Not Inheritance

In July 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerians during a visit to Daura, Katsina State, that he would not be leaving behind any wealth for his children, insisting that his legacy to them would be education and character.

At the time, Buhari was addressing parents on the importance of raising children with strong values and skills rather than relying on inheritance or public sector jobs.

He explained that his own life experience shaped his belief that a person’s true worth is found in what they know, not what they own. Speaking to traditional and community leaders at the Emir of Daura’s Palace during a Sallah visit, Buhari urged families to focus on instilling discipline, responsibility, and a fear of God in their children.

He said young people should view education not as a path to government employment but as a way to develop skills that can help them succeed in a changing and competitive world. Buhari reminded parents that the future would demand more from children, especially as new technology reshapes global industries.

He revealed that he had already informed his children, including his daughters, that they must earn their place in life and not expect handouts from him. According to Buhari, he insisted his daughters must obtain at least a university degree before considering marriage, stressing the value he placed on knowledge and personal development.

The former president also called for schools to include the teaching of history so that younger generations can understand their background and become more patriotic and responsible citizens. He noted that many of the issues facing Nigeria could be tackled with proper education and national awareness.

Buhari also spoke on the importance of adapting to modern realities, using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. He noted how much of the civil service functioned efficiently even when lower-level staff were asked to work from home, showing the growing role of technology in governance.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who accompanied Buhari during the visit, praised the administration’s efforts in reducing poverty and expanding social welfare through programs such as the Social Investment Program (SIP). He noted that thousands of poor households in Katsina and other states received monthly stipends and that the school feeding scheme had reached nearly a million children in the state.

Masari credited the Buhari government with improving security and addressing the issues that plagued the country before 2015, such as regular attacks on places of worship. He urged critics to acknowledge the progress made and to join in securing the country, instead of focusing on personal gains.

The Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, also used the opportunity to thank Buhari for bringing infrastructure and development to the region. He encouraged the president to remain patient as his term neared its end, noting that true appreciation often comes long after public service.

The emir concluded by saying that criticism is inevitable in leadership, but that Buhari’s contributions, especially to Daura and the wider Katsina State, would be remembered for generations.