Tinubu’s weight-loss programme three years later

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu recently remarked that he has lost weight due to "vicarious hardship," a consequence he attributes to the reforms implemented during his three years in office. Speaking after securing his party's presidential ticket for 2027, Tinubu suggested he shared in the struggles of Nigerians who have faced sleepless nights and economic difficulties following his administration's policies.

Tinubu stated, "If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too. But I’ve always remembered one thing: in 2022, I asked for this job. You all supported me, and I got it. So, I must do it." He framed his weight loss as a gesture of solidarity with citizens enduring the "compulsory post-subsidy weight-loss programme" and the general hardship imposed by his economic reforms.

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I know what it takes to reform this nation we met in tatters. If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too. But I’ve always remembered one thing: in 2022, I asked for this job. You all supported me, and I got it. So, I must do it.

The article contrasts Tinubu's assertion with the health advice given to U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump's doctor recommended weight loss and increased physical activity, noting his "excellent health" despite his age. The author questions the premise of Tinubu's weight loss, suggesting it is unlikely given his physique and implying that the hardship experienced by Nigerians is far more significant and genuine.

Tinubu's presidency has been marked by significant economic policy shifts, including the immediate removal of the fuel subsidy on his first day in office and the unification of the exchange rate. These measures, while aimed at restructuring the economy, have led to widespread hardship and increased the cost of living for many citizens. The article also notes his decision to reinstate "Nigeria We Hail Thee" as the national anthem, a move that evoked nostalgia and required a swift return to learning for a generation.

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Preventive counselling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss.