The remains of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have been laid to rest in Abuja following her death in Cairo, Egypt, on 27 March 2026 after a brief illness.
Her grandson, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, confirmed the arrival of her remains and burial arrangements in a statement shared on Sunday.
“This is to notify the general public that the remains of our grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, has safely landed in Abuja. The Janazah Prayer is by 1 p.m. as announced last night. The prayers will take place at the National Mosque and she will be buried at Gudu Cemetery by the grace of God. May Allah SWT bless her soul and all those that passed away before her,” he said.
The Janazah prayer was held at the National Mosque, after which she was interred at the Gudu Cemetery.
The late matriarch had reportedly been residing in Cairo with her son prior to her passing.
Her death comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Nasir El-Rufai, who was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on 24 March on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and money laundering. The case has been adjourned to 31 March for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
He was, however, granted temporary release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to attend the burial rites.
Prominent Nigerian figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, have paid tributes to the deceased, highlighting the respect and influence of the El-Rufai family in Nigeria’s political landscape.
