Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), has revealed that he was appointed to Nigeria’s top military position in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari without ever having met him personally.
Irabor made the disclosure in a heartfelt tribute on Tuesday, eulogising the late president as a man of integrity, discipline, and quiet strength.
“Before he appointed me as Chief of Defence Staff on 26 January 2021, I had never met him personally,” Irabor said. “Like many Nigerians, I knew him only from a distance through the pages of history, the news, and the reverence with which he was spoken of in military circles.”
Describing Buhari as a deeply principled leader, Irabor said the former president governed by trusting those he appointed, rarely micromanaging or second-guessing their actions. “He placed implicit trust in those he appointed,” Irabor noted. “His quiet confidence was sometimes misunderstood, but for those of us who worked with him, it was a mark of character.”
According to Irabor, shortly after his appointment, Buhari told him, “I have never met you before, but I have heard of your performance. I hope you will not disappoint.”
The retired general praised the late president’s calm and attentive demeanor during official engagements. “He said little, but listened deeply. He sat for hours, composed and focused, never once asking for a break,” he recalled. “I once asked him, half in jest, how he found the patience and strength. He only smiled.”
Reflecting on his time in office, Irabor expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under Buhari, describing the experience as one of honour and responsibility. “To my Commander-in-Chief, my Principal President Muhammadu Buhari at the sound of the Last Post, rest well. You fought the good fight. May your soul find eternal peace in the bosom of the Almighty.”
Irabor also extended condolences to the Buhari family, especially former First Lady Aisha Buhari, saying the late leader’s life and legacy were marked by “dignity, honour, and integrity.”