The Shagari family and the nation are in mourning following the death of Hajiya Sutura Shagari, the last surviving wife of Nigeria's former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
A Life of Quiet Dignity Ends
Hajiya Sutura Shagari passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the age of 89. Family sources confirmed she died around 3:00 p.m. after battling a prolonged illness.
The official announcement came from the late President's eldest son, Capt. Bala Shagari (rtd), who serves as the District Head of Shagari. In a heartfelt statement issued from Sokoto, he conveyed the family's profound loss.
Family Tributes and Public Mourning
The statement began with the traditional Islamic expression of submission to God's will: "Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un." It described Hajiya Sutura as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength.
She was celebrated as a devoted mother, grandmother, and matriarch whose life was defined by dignity and compassion. The family noted that her loss is deeply felt by all who knew her and promised that further details regarding funeral arrangements would be communicated later.
The mourning extended to social media, where one of the former president's grandsons, Bello Bala Shagari, expressed his grief on his Facebook page. He wrote, "We lost our matriarch, the only surviving wife of our late grandfather... May Allah reunite them in Jannah."
Legacy of a Presidential Matriarch
As the last surviving wife of President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, Hajiya Sutura was a living link to a significant chapter in Nigeria's political history. Her passing marks the end of an era for the prominent Shagari family in Sokoto.
The family has requested prayers for the peaceful repose of her soul, with the official statement concluding, "May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace."
