Aisha Buhari

Aisha Halilu Buhari ((listen^ⓘ); born 17 February 1971) is a beauty therapist who served as the First Lady of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. Advocacy and humanitarian work

Buhari is a vocal advocate for women’s and children’s rights and has been involved in initiatives aimed at improving their welfare in Nigeria. In 2014, she founded the Aisha Buhari Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, particularly concerning the well-being of women and children. The foundation’s flagship programme, Future Assured, promotes maternal and child health, education, nutrition, and economic empowerment through community outreach, free health services, and support for underserved populations."Aisha Buhari Foundation". Retrieved 26 February 2026."Background". The Future Assured. Retrieved 26 February 2026.

Through Future Assured and other engagements, she has campaigned against gender-based violence, supported girl-child education, and collaborated with development partners to expand healthcare access and social welfare services. She has also used her platform to appeal for improved laws and policies that protect women and children from early marriage, abuse, and exploitation."Tinubu celebrates Aisha Buhari at 55, praises her courage and advocacy". 24 February 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026."Aisha Buhari pledges support for women, children's health". Retrieved 26 February 2026.

Aisha Halilu was born on 17 February 1971, in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria. Her grandfather Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu was Nigeria's first minister of defence. Aisha's father was a civil engineer, and her mother is a descendant of the Ankali family, renowned farmers. Aisha Buhari went to primary and secondary school in Adamawa State. On 2 December 1989, Aisha married Muhammadu Buhari, who had five children from a previous marriage to Safinatu Yusuf. Aisha and Muhammadu Buhari have five children together and one grandchild.

Aisha Buhari earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), and a master's degree in international affairs and strategic studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Buhari obtained a diploma in beauty therapy from the Carlton Institute of Beauty Therapy, Windsor, UK. Buhari holds a post-graduate diploma in cosmetology and beauty from Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France. Buhari is a member of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust and the International Health and Beauty Council.

For years, Buhari has run a business as the founder/managing director of Hanzy Spa and principal of Hanzy Beauty Institute, a beauty salon in Kaduna and Abuja. Buhari is a resource person to the National Basic Technical Education (NBTE), on beauty therapy and cosmetology and has participated in the curriculum development of small medium enterprises for NBTE. Buhari closed her beauty salon following the emergence of her husband as president of Nigeria.

Buhari published a book titled Essentials of Beauty Therapy: A Complete Guide for Beauty Specialists, which has been recommended as a text for the NBTE curriculum.

In July 2014, Buhari advised Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to resign from office as president of Nigeria, following a suicide bombing and an alleged assassination attempt on her husband by the Boko Haram terrorist group.