Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu sworn in as president, facing divided nation and economic woes

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as Nigeria’s president, taking the helm of Africa’s most populous nation amid a backdrop of economic uncertainty and a deeply divided electorate.

The 71-year-old former governor of Lagos state took the oath of office on Monday in the capital, Abuja, succeeding Muhammadu Buhari, who has stepped down after serving two terms.

Tinubu, who won February’s presidential election with 37% of the vote, faces the immediate challenge of addressing a struggling economy, high inflation, and persistent security issues that have plagued the country for years.

Fuel subsidy is gone.

In his inaugural address, Tinubu made a significant policy announcement, declaring that the long-standing fuel subsidy, which has been a major drain on government finances, is effectively over.

The election results remain a point of contention, with opposition parties challenging the outcome in court, alleging irregularities. Despite the legal hurdles, the inauguration proceeded as planned, marking a transition of power in Nigeria’s democracy.