Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has been featured in promotional material by an Indian hospital following his treatment there.
A video circulating on social media shows the retired general receiving care and undergoing rehabilitation at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, after reportedly undergoing knee-replacement surgery.
The hospital has also shared images of General Abubakar and Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, as part of posts promoting its services to international patients. (Premium Times Nigeria)
In one social media post, the hospital said Mr Shettima had visited its facility and met members of its management to discuss General Abubakar’s recovery.
The hospital described the visit as evidence of what it called the “growing trust in India’s healthcare” and its commitment to treating patients from around the world. (Premium Times Nigeria)
The use of General Abubakar’s treatment in promotional material has, however, triggered criticism in Nigeria, with some commentators questioning the appropriateness of using the former leader’s image to market medical services.
Lawyer Aloy Ejimakor described the development as a “diplomatic insult”, while activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore used the incident to renew criticism of Nigeria’s dependence on foreign healthcare.
Mr Sowore questioned why Nigerian leaders who had served in government continued to seek specialised medical treatment abroad, linking the issue to longstanding concerns about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. (Premium Times Nigeria)
The development has also revived debate about medical tourism among Nigeria’s political elite.
Under Nigerian law, former presidents and heads of state and their immediate families are entitled to medical treatment at home and abroad, where necessary, at federal government expense. The 2026 federal budget reportedly provides N2.3bn for entitlements covering former presidents, heads of state and their deputies. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said in 2025 that the country loses an estimated $2bn annually to medical tourism, highlighting concerns about confidence, access and the quality of specialised healthcare available domestically. (Premium Times Nigeria)
General Abubakar served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1998 until the restoration of democratic rule in 1999.
