‘Your tenure will prosper,’ Nigerians react to president Tinubu’s salary donation

By Tolulope Oke

Nigerians have taken to social media to praise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his decision to donate his presidential salaries to a fund supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The announcement, made by the President to mark his 74th birthday, has triggered a wave of commendations online, with many describing the move as a rare show of leadership and personal sacrifice.

Several users flooded X (formerly Twitter) with messages of support, applauding what they see as a strong commitment to the welfare of military personnel.

One user, @bariagara_, wrote:
“Daddy, your administration will be prosperous, no doubt. The opposition can continue wandering in vain. On your mandate till 2031.”

Another commenter described the gesture as exemplary leadership, noting:
“This is exactly what leading from the front looks like. You can criticize the administration all you want, but a sitting President forfeiting his entire salary from day one to support wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes is a massive personal sacrifice.”

The user added that the move sends a clear signal about prioritising the welfare of those in service, calling it “not just a birthday gesture, but a strong message.”

Other reactions highlighted the symbolic importance of the decision.

“May this initiative inspire unity, compassion, and collective responsibility across the nation. Thank you for leading by example and honouring the brave men,” another user posted.

Similarly, @DebriefLog described the move as “a classy gesture,” stating that committing his salaries as seed funding reflects leadership driven by duty rather than charity. The post, however, emphasised the need for transparency in managing the fund to ensure it achieves its intended purpose.

While the majority of reactions were positive, some users raised concerns about implementation. One commenter noted that creating a new fund alongside existing welfare schemes could introduce unnecessary bureaucracy, suggesting that strengthening current systems might deliver faster results.