Hajiya Saratu Shagari, the last surviving wife of Nigeria’s former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, has died at the age of 89.
Her death was announced on Monday in a statement by her son, Captain Mohammed Shagari (retd.), who said she passed away at 3:00 p.m. after a prolonged illness.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari, the last surviving wife of the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR, Turakin Sokoto,” the statement read.
Captain Shagari described his late mother as “an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength who lived a life of dignity and service.”
He added that details of her funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
Born in Sokoto, Hajiya Saratu lived a private and supportive life, standing by her husband throughout his career — from his early days as a teacher and regional minister to his tenure as Nigeria’s first democratically elected executive president.
The late President Shehu Shagari led Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) before his administration was toppled in a military coup led by Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
President Shagari passed away in December 2018 at the age of 93Hajiya Saratu’s passing marks the end of an era for the Shagari family, closing a major chapter in Nigeria’s political and historical legacy.
