Buhari Rejected N10m Food Budget, New Cars, Reveals Garba Shehu in Memoir

Former President Muhammadu Buhari turned down a proposed N10 million monthly food budget and declined the purchase of new official vehicles upon assuming office in 2015, his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has revealed.

The disclosure is contained in Shehu’s newly launched memoir, According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience, unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday.

The book offers a behind-the-scenes account of Shehu’s eight-year tenure as Buhari’s media aide, shedding light on key moments and the former president’s leadership style.

According to Shehu, shortly after Buhari’s inauguration, State House officials proposed an increase in the food budget meant to cover meals for the President, Vice President, guest houses, and official banquets to a staggering N10 million monthly.

Buhari, however, was said to have been shocked by the figure.

“When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and demanded it be reduced,” Shehu recounted. “Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?” Buhari reportedly asked.

Shehu painted a portrait of a leader who lived simply and maintained a modest, healthy diet. “He ate basic Nigerian meals tuwo, pap, akara, beans, wheat, poultry, mutton, and plenty of salads. He avoided extravagance and was health-conscious,” Shehu said.

In the same spirit of frugality, Buhari also turned down the procurement of new cars for the presidency, insisting on using the vehicles inherited from the previous administration.

The revelations add to a growing narrative around the former president’s austere lifestyle and personal discipline while in office.

The memoir is expected to spark discussions around presidential spending and transparency, especially as Nigeria continues to face economic challenges.