OPEC Pays Tribute to Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Following His Passing
Vienna, Austria – The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has extended heartfelt condolences following the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. During a solemn visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Vienna, OPEC Secretary General His Excellency Haitham Al Ghais personally offered sympathies on behalf of the entire OPEC community.
In a formal gesture of mourning, HE Al Ghais signed the condolence register and expressed deep sympathy to Buhari’s family, current Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Nigerian people. The tribute highlights President Buhari’s enduring legacy and significant contributions to international energy diplomacy and the OPEC institution.
HE Al Ghais specifically acknowledged Buhari’s influential leadership in the establishment and advancement of the OPEC and non-OPEC Declaration of Cooperation. He noted that Buhari’s guidance and strategic insights helped shape energy collaboration efforts that remain foundational to global oil market stability today. His involvement in fostering unity among producing nations has been described as visionary and instrumental over several decades.
President Buhari’s engagement with OPEC dates back to 1976, when he served as Nigeria’s Head of Delegation to the organization, holding the role of Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources. His decades-long association with OPEC, both as a national delegate and later as Nigeria’s Head of State, made him a respected voice in the global energy landscape.
The OPEC Secretariat emphasized that President Buhari’s dedication and contributions will not be forgotten, and he will be fondly remembered as a statesman who stood for cooperation, dialogue, and shared progress.
In honoring his memory, OPEC reaffirmed its solidarity with Nigeria during this time of mourning and recognized the late President as a key figure in the history of the organization.
