In recent months, a new and somewhat unusual nickname has emerged on Nigerian social media, referring to President Bola Tinubu as “T-Pain.”

But what’s behind this name, and why has it resonated so strongly with Nigerians?

The moniker is a clever twist, playing off the name of American rapper and producer T-Pain (Faheem Rashad Najm), but in this context, it reflects something much deeper.

Initially coined on social media in April 2024, the nickname surged in popularity in September after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) during Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri, where he was seen consoling flood victims.

For many Nigerians, the name captures a growing frustration with the president’s economic policies—especially the removal of fuel subsidies that have driven up costs across the board.

What began as internet satire has evolved into a sharp political commentary. The “TPain” label encapsulates both Tinubu’s initials and the real-life “pain” that many Nigerians are feeling due to skyrocketing fuel, transportation, and food prices.

Critics have seized on the nickname to highlight what they see as the administration’s disconnect from the everyday struggles of the people.

Fuel prices have more than tripled since the subsidy was removed, triggering widespread inflation and increasing the hardship on citizens.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar amplified the use of the nickname in a pointed tweet last Thursday, accusing Tinubu of managing the fuel subsidy crisis in a “haphazard and disingenuous” way.

Atiku argued that this approach has only worsened inflation and deepened the economic suffering in the country.

He added, “It is even more worrying that TPain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country,” bringing the internet-born nickname into formal political discourse.

Social media in Nigeria has long been a breeding ground for satire, humor, and criticism, where political figures are often rebranded through memes and nicknames.

Tinubu himself has worn many labels throughout his career. During his early days in the U.S., he was referred to as “Chicago Boy,” a nod to his education at Chicago State University. As his political influence grew in Lagos, he was dubbed “City Boy” due to his long-standing ties to Nigeria’s economic capital.

One of Tinubu’s more prestigious titles, “Jagaban,” was conferred on him by the Emir of Borgu in 2006.

Meaning “chief warrior” in Hausa, the title reflects his powerful political stature. It acknowledges his leadership qualities and his reputation as a fearless frontrunner in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The title originates from “ja” (pull) and “gaba” (front), signifying a leader who pulls others forward—a warrior at the helm.

Yet, the shift in tone marked by the “TPain” nickname suggests a change in how many now view Tinubu’s leadership. While his earlier nicknames highlighted his achievements and influence, “TPain” speaks to the discontent simmering among ordinary Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of inflation and economic hardship.

The nickname, which started as a meme, has grown into a symbol of the frustrations Nigerians feel about their economic reality—a reality shaped by Tinubu’s controversial policy decisions.

As this label continues to spread across social media, it spotlights the way Nigerians use humor to voice their criticisms, making “TPain” not just a nickname, but a potent critique of the current administration.

The Federal Government (FG) has told Nigerians that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has several safety advantages over Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol.

The FG made the announcement in a post shared on the official X account of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) on Friday morning.

“How safe is Compressed Natural Gas? It has several safety advantages over petrol,” the post read.

The PCNGI said some of the advantages are Physical Properties: Non-toxic and non-corrosive; Lighter than air, reducing risk of pooling and explosion as well as Higher ignition temperature (600°C) versus PMS (440°C).

For it’s Safety Features: Cylinders are designed with safety valves and burst discs; Leak detection systems and automatic shut-off valves even as it’s tanks are stronger and more resistant to punctures.

Regarding it’s Statistical Evidence, it said Compressed Natural Gas vehicles have lower incident rates compared to petrol vehicles (US Department of Energy).

It added that it is considered 30-40% safer than PMS (International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles).

Also, while no fuel is completely risk-free, it’s inherent properties and safety features make it a safer alternative to petrol.

A presidential aide has urged Nigerians to switch to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative to fuel following a recent price hike.

Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, claims a trip from Abuja to Lagos using CNG would cost N10,000, compared to unspecified costs using traditional fuel.

Olusegun wrote, “From Abuja-Lagos using CNG will cost you N10,000. A PMS tank has chance of exploding due to heat faster than a CNG tank ever will.

“Nigeria has more gas than crude oil. The business of CNG is moving faster than anticipated with stations coming up across every part of the country.”
He also noted the safety advantages of CNG and the increasing availability of conversion stations nationwide.
“CNG financing is getting better every day with outlets like #futurewavecng allowing you to convert and pay back over time. “As a safer, cheaper and cleaner source of energy, the best time for you to join the CNG camp is now,” he added.

Olusegun’s statement comes amidst public outcry over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) decision to raise petrol prices.

The price hike, the second in a month, has seen costs rise to N1,030 per litre in Abuja and N998 per litre in Lagos.

The Guardian reports that the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, while giving a speech at the conference of the Nigeria Association of Energy Correspondents in Lagos, said revealed that Nigeria currently has fewer than 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations serving its population of 200 million people, a figure that highlighted the gap in infrastructure despite efforts by the Federal Government, through the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), to promote CNG as a more affordable alternative to petrol and diesel.

However, he noted that despite having fewer than 3,000 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants and fewer than 50 CNG stations, developing a robust gas sector is crucial to securing Nigeria’s domestic energy needs and positioning the country as a reliable energy supplier to its neighbours.

Full passenger operations on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line will commence on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, has said in a statement released on October 10, 2024.

It would be recalled that infrastructure for the Red Line was commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on February 29, 2024. The Red Line’s first phase, spanning 27 kilometres, has eight stations, including Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will lead his executive council members and other dignitaries at the passenger operations launch and ride with commuters on the first passenger trip.

Akinajo stated that train services will commence daily from Agbado at 6 a.m.

Consequently, the schedule for the train service has been adjusted with passenger movement commencing at 6:00 a.m. from Agbado. Previously, trips had started from Oyingbo at 9:00 a.m., with the first train reaching Agbado at 10:07 a.m.

The adjusted timetable foreshadows upcoming commercial passenger operations commencing on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, explained that the new timetable was based on data gathered through a series of tests, including those for non-fee-paying passengers. According to Akinajo, the new timetable gives priority to trips originating from Agbado, where riders live and work at Ikeja, Oshodi, and Lagos Island.

For passengers whose journeys terminate on Lagos Island, buses will be available at Oyingbo bus terminal for them to complete their journeys.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s management of the fuel subsidy crisis, labelling him “TPain” in a tweet on Thursday.

The Guardian reports that Atiku’s X post followed the increase of petrol pump prices on Wednesday by retail outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Lagos and Abuja, as well as, other parts of the nation.

In Lagos, NNPCL outlets sold a litre of petrol for ₦998, which is ₦150 higher than the initial price of ₦855 while in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) capital of Abuja the commodity increased to ₦1,030 from ₦897.

Atiku attributed Nigeria’s current economic difficulties to what he described as the “haphazard and disingenuous approach” of the Tinubu administration towards fuel subsidy management.

He expressed concern over the soaring inflation rate, stressing its detrimental impact on the lives of everyday Nigerians.

He wrote, “The haphazard and disingenuous approach of the current administration to fuel subsidy management has been the reason we are in this current economic crisis in the country.

“As things stand, there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians.”

Atiku lamented that, despite the growing hardships faced by citizens, President Tinubu appears indifferent to their plight, saying: “It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country.

The nickname ‘TPain’ for Tinubu is a play on the first letter of his name and that of American rapper and producer T-Pain, reflecting public frustrations over the rising cost of living during his administration.

According to Peoples Gazette, the term first emerged on social media in April 2024 but gained significant traction around September 16, following a user on X discussing the President’s visit to Maiduguri to console flood victims. Since then, it has proliferated on platforms like X and Instagram.

Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide, has said less than 25 per cent of the buildings in the state were approved.

Olumide disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing to announce the state physical planning summit slated for October 15 to 16, 2024.

According to him, the state government is bothered about the number of approved buildings and plans to use the summit to interact with critical stakeholders to solve all the bottlenecks and physical planning issues in the state.

He promised that the summit though the first would be every two years with submissions in each of the conferences examined if it has been implemented in the next edition.

“We are not just looking at it as one of the regulars but a summit to map out our goals and benchmark the outcome for the next edition,” Olumide said.

He maintained that for any resident to do any physical development on their landed property, such a person needs a physical planning permit

“We have a lot to do to increase the percentage of approved buildings in Lagos State because every physical infrastructure must have approval.”

He added that it was important that residents get approval for their buildings.

The commissioner said buildings constructed without approval would not be compensated if there were demolitions.