It remains unclear whether Mr Abubakar gave consent for the use of his personal health journey in the hospital’s marketing campaign. However, he had previously disclosed that he cancelled his 80th birthday celebration in June 2022 due to severe knee swelling. He told TheCable at the time that after initial treatment by his doctors, they advised him to seek expert care abroad, prompting his decision to travel for surgery.
The release of the video has sparked widespread criticism among Nigerians, who have long expressed frustration over the country’s underfunded and poorly managed healthcare system. Many citizens are questioning why top political leaders consistently choose foreign hospitals while millions of ordinary Nigerians struggle to access basic medical care. Social media users have voiced outrage, accusing leaders like Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu of betraying public trust. One Facebook user, Hungbeme Wenayon, wrote, “Shame on Abdulsalam and Tinubu! With all the money they got from Nigeria as leaders, they couldn’t build good health care facilities in Nigeria.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, with Adesoji Ojediran calling it “a betrayal of the country they milk for their personal gain.” Ade Ogidan suggested constitutional measures to compel public officials to use only public health institutions, while Val Eze pointed out that knee replacements can be performed in Nigeria by qualified professionals. The incident adds to growing calls for accountability and investment in Nigeria’s domestic healthcare infrastructure. As the debate continues, the story highlights a persistent gap between elite healthcare access and national health policy, raising urgent questions about equity and leadership in the country’s development agenda.
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