Former Nigerian First Lady, Hadiza Shehu Shagari Dies Of COVID-19 In Abuja

Mrs. Hadiza Shagari, the wife of former Nigerian President, Shehu Shagari, has died in the early hours of Thursday after battling COVID-19 complications in Abuja.

A son of the late Second Republic president, Muhammad Bala Shagari, announced her death in a statement issued on behalf of the family on Thursday.

Bala said a funeral prayer for their 80-year-old mother is expected to be held on Thursday evening at the National Mosque in Abuja.

“We regret to announce the demise of our beloved mother, Hajiya Hadiza Shehu Shagari, the wife of H.E late President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR (Turakin Sokoto).

“We lost her in the early hours of today, 12th August 2021, at about 3:00 am, after battling Covid-19 at the Gwagwalada Isolation Center in Abuja.

“Hajiya Hadiza Shehu Shagari was 80 years old. Her Jana’iza (Funeral Prayer) will take place today, at 4:00pm, immediately after Asr prayer, at the National Mosque, Abuja.”

Facts About Late Hadiza Shagari

Mrs. Shagari served as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the 1st of October 1979 – 31st December, 1983.

Mrs Hadiza Shagari got married to Shehu Shagari who was then a visiting teacher in Sokoto province and a member of the Federal Scholarship Board in the year 1957.

Along with his two other wives, she became the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when her husband assumed office as President in October 1979.

Hadiza’s death comes barely 24 hours after the son of late prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Mohammed Gani Fawehinmi passed away at the age of 52.