Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has many nicknames or fond names by which people – friends and enemies – refer to him. In fact, some of the names are so nice that many of us do not really think he bothers about them. He should like them, actually.
BAT was the main acronym converted to a nickname used for him before he became President in May 2023. Now, it is PBAT, which sounds nicer because a bat does not really look or sound like a nice animal.
Recall that when the results of the presidential election were announced and he went to visit UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu, the name the banker kept repeating was ‘Last Man Standing’. A fond name it is, actually!
Some of the traditional titles he has acquired along the way, mostly in his political life have also stuck like nicknames.
‘Asiwaju’ has been a popular title he has borne for many years
Oba of Lagos is seen here blessing Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the title of “Asiwaju of Lagos”. A title given to forward-thinking individuals who have contributed a significant quota to the progress of Lagos State.
More than just the Chieftaincy title, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a ‘father to son’ relationship with the late great Oba Adeyinka Oyekan
I also hear he had earlier been made Balogun of Lagos way before he became Governor.
What of ‘Jagaban?’ The title, ‘Jagaban Borgu’ or ‘Jagaban of Borgu’ which means the Chief Warrior of Borgu was conferred on President Tinubu in February 2006 by the late Alhaji Haliru Dantoro who was then Emir of Borgu in New Bussa, Niger State.
Then there is ‘City Boy’; indeed, he is a city boy – a real Lagos Boy in every sense of the word so he has also assumed that name. Some of his campaign materials used that name to promote him when he was bidding to become president. Of course, a city boy knows his way around and that was like the insinuation – the way around to solve problems.
However, the nickname, T-Pain seems to have gained some prominence in recent times and people were quick to identify with it because of what they feel as pains since the administration of President Tinubu came into office in May 2023, with the petrol price increase, insecurity and high inflation.
In fact, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who was the chief opponent of Tinubu weighed in on the nickname in an X post which was widely circulated, so much so that the Presidency had to even come out to decry the name and tell the ex-VP to he was a major source of Nigeria’s woes.
Atiku had said on his X handle: “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. It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country.”
T-Pain is not a new name, at least with music followers and the artiste who bears the name is currently smiling to the bank as he has acquired more Nigerian followers since, their president started being referred to with the same name. And the real T-Pain likes it and says he does not mind.
Faheem Rashad Najm, better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born on September 30, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida, he rose to fame in the mid-2000s.
T-Pain is known for his signature auto-tune vocal style and hit singles like “Buy U a Drank” (Shawty Snappin’), “Bartender”, “Can’t Believe It”, “5 O’Clock” (feat. Wiz Khalifa & Lily Allen), and “Booty Wurk” (One Cheek at a Time).
I particularly like “Bartender” which is very popular on our radio stations in Nigeria; the track features a night out at the club after a breakup, where the man meets a bartender who captures his interest. The song highlights their connection through drinks and flirtation, ultimately leading to a fun night together. Top artiste Akon features with T-Pain in this upbeat electronic hip-hop track.
Albums by T-Pain include “Rappa Ternt Sanga” (2005), “Epiphany” (2007), “Thr33 Ringz” (2008), “RevolveR” (2011) and “Oblivion” (2017).
T-Pain has collaborated with numerous artists, including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Chris Brown. He has won several accolades, including two Grammy Awards.
Always, there are two sides to T-Pain, just like with other aspects of life – good and bad, positive and negative, ugly and beautiful.
So, the name T-Pain may not always be bad, if you know what I mean. Enjoy the music.
