President Tinubu unsettled by ‘TPain’ nickname amid economic woes

Nigerians have coined the term “TPain” for President Tinubu amidst growing frustration over economic hardship and inflation, sparking presidential concern.

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Bola Tinubu is reportedly unhappy with the increasing use of the nickname “TPain” by Nigerians, who criticise his administration over the country’s deepening economic challenges.

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According to sources close to the presidency, Tinubu expressed frustration during recent internal meetings at the Presidential Villa, highlighting his dissatisfaction with being ridiculed instead of receiving constructive feedback.

The moniker, a play on the first letter of Tinubu’s last name, gained momentum on social media in recent months.

It draws inspiration from American rapper T-Pain and reflects the pain many Nigerians say they feel due to the high cost of living, inflation, and a sharp rise in the exchange rate.

Since May 2023, when Tinubu took office, the U.S. dollar has soared from ₦425 to about ₦1,900, exacerbating economic hardship.

During the meeting, Tinubu reportedly told his aides that he was “very sad” about how the nickname has spread across social media.

An aide described the president as feeling let down by the lack of support and solutions from citizens, stating that social media users focus more on name-calling than addressing the nation’s problems.

“The president respects Nigerians’ right to express themselves, but he feels the nickname campaign is distracting from efforts to improve the economy,” the aide added.

Despite the administration’s efforts to stabilise the economy, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and floating the naira, inflation has hit 38%, leading to widespread public discontent.

Protests erupted in cities like Kano and Ibadan in August as staple foods such as rice and bread became unaffordable for many. Youth unemployment, which stood at 51% when Tinubu assumed office, has continued to rise.

Critics have pointed to Tinubu’s struggles to deliver on the progressive policies he advocated during his decades as a pro-democracy figure.

Also read: Tinubu lacks capacity to govern Nigeria – Dr. Ogbunwezeh

In response, the administration has announced plans to lower transportation costs through the roll-out of gas-powered vehicles and remove tariffs on essential food items like rice and wheat to ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians.