Former Nigerian Leader Featured in Indian Hospital Ad

Former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar is now part of an advertisement from an Indian hospital after he had knee replacement surgery there.

A video that has gone viral on social media shows Mr Abubakar receiving treatment at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India. The footage includes him walking and exercising after the surgery.

The hospital has also shared images of Mr Abubakar along with Vice President Kashim Shettima in posts promoting its services for international patients.

On Monday, the Indian hospital posted on Instagram about Mr Shettima's visit. He met with the hospital management to check on Mr Abubakar’s recovery and wellbeing.

The hospital said the visit showed the “growing trust in India’s healthcare” and its aim to care for patients from all over the world.

“When patients travel across borders for specialised care, their trust means everything,” the hospital stated.

It is not clear if Mr Abubakar’s treatment was completely paid for by the federal government.

According to the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act, former Heads of State and their families can receive free medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad at the expense of the federal government when necessary.

The law also includes other benefits like diplomatic passports, official vehicles, housing, security, and an annual vacation at federal government expense.

For 2026, the federal government has budgeted N2.3 billion for the benefits of former presidents, Heads of State, and their deputies.

The hospital using Mr Abubakar's treatment in its promotion has sparked reactions from Nigerians.

Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was one of the first to respond. He shared the promotional video on X on Tuesday.

“This is former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, being used in a hospital advert after undergoing knee replacement surgery in India,” Mr Sowore wrote.

He questioned why Nigerian leaders, who had opportunities to improve the country's healthcare system, still seek treatment abroad.

Mr Sowore described the situation as showing “decades of failed leadership and neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare system.”

Aloy Ejimafor, a lawyer, also criticized the hospital’s actions in a Facebook post.

Mr Ejimafor called it a “diplomatic insult” for an Indian hospital to use Mr Abubakar’s image in an advert for knee replacement surgery in India.

Mr Abubakar’s treatment abroad highlights a long-standing issue where Nigerian political leaders prefer medical care outside the country.

For example, the late President Muhammadu Buhari faced criticism for his medical trips to the United Kingdom while in office.

Nigerian doctors and critics claimed that this practice damages trust in the country’s health system, especially since political leaders control public investment in healthcare.

In April 2025, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said Nigeria loses about $2 billion every year to medical tourism.

He made this remark at the opening of a 50-bed specialist hospital in Lagos. He mentioned that the figure shows gaps in confidence, access, and quality in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This is not just about stopping medical tourism. It is about building health sovereignty, the ability of a country to care for its own people, develop its institutions, talent, and innovation,” Mr Pate stated.