Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has become the subject of widespread discussion after an Indian hospital featured him in a promotional video following his knee replacement surgery.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the former military leader receiving treatment and undergoing rehabilitation at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India.
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The hospital’s promotional montage includes footage of Abubakar walking with assistance, exercising and undergoing physical therapy with medical personnel following the procedure.
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The material carries promotional messages including “A milestone in international care” and “Clinical Excellence Beyond Borders”, presenting his treatment as part of the hospital’s services to international patients. (Peoples Gazette Nigeria)
Hospital promotes international healthcare
Krishna Shalby Hospital is known for orthopaedic and joint-replacement procedures and has an international patient programme.
The facility has also shared images connected to Abubakar’s treatment on its social media platforms. In one of its posts, the hospital referenced the visit of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who reportedly met with members of the medical team to discuss Abubakar’s progress and wellbeing.
The hospital described the visit as reflecting the “growing trust in India’s healthcare” and its commitment to providing medical care to patients from different countries. (Premium Times Nigeria)
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Another video associated with the hospital showed Shettima at the facility discussing the former Head of State’s condition with Dr Vikram Shah.
Shettima also reportedly wrote in a hospital register, thanking the doctor for taking care of Abubakar and helping to restore his mobility. (Peoples Gazette Nigeria)
Nigerians react to viral footage
The promotional material has generated considerable reactions among Nigerians, with much of the discussion centred on medical tourism and the condition of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was among those who drew attention to the video after sharing the footage on X.
Sowore questioned why Nigerian leaders who had occupied senior positions of authority and had opportunities to influence the country’s healthcare system still seek specialised treatment abroad.
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He argued that the episode highlighted longstanding concerns about investment in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. His comments have contributed to the broader debate over the reliance of prominent Nigerians on foreign hospitals for specialised treatment.
Lawyer and political commentator Aloy Ejimakor also criticised the use of Abubakar’s image in the hospital’s promotional material, describing the development as a matter that deserved public scrutiny.
However, the reactions have largely focused on the wider issue of medical tourism rather than on the quality of care Abubakar received at the Indian hospital.
Questions over use of patient’s image
Another issue raised by reports about the video concerns the circumstances under which footage of Abubakar’s treatment and recovery was used for promotional purposes.
It remains unclear from the publicly available reports whether Abubakar personally authorised the hospital to use the footage of his treatment in advertising material.
Neither the viral reports nor the hospital’s promotional posts cited in the reports provide details of any consent arrangement between the hospital and the former Head of State regarding the commercial use of the footage.
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The issue has therefore prompted questions about patient privacy and the use of images and medical experiences in healthcare advertising.
Abubakar’s history with knee treatment
The former Head of State has previously spoken publicly about problems with his knee.
In 2022, Abubakar cancelled celebrations planned for his 80th birthday after suffering a swollen knee that reportedly left him unable to walk for several days.
He later explained that, following initial treatment by his doctors, he was advised to seek specialised medical care abroad.
His latest treatment in India has consequently revived discussions about his longstanding knee condition and the broader question of Nigerians travelling overseas for specialised healthcare.
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Medical tourism debate
Abubakar’s appearance in the Indian hospital’s promotional material comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s longstanding medical-tourism challenge.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said in April 2025 that the country loses an estimated $2 billion annually to medical tourism.
Pate said addressing the problem required strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system, improving access and quality, and developing the country’s capacity to provide specialised treatment locally.
The issue is particularly sensitive when prominent political figures seek treatment abroad because of their visibility and their past or present roles in shaping public policy.
At the same time, the fact that Abubakar received treatment outside Nigeria does not, by itself, establish that the procedure could not have been performed in the country. The specific medical considerations behind his treatment choice have not been publicly detailed in the reports reviewed.
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Federal government medical benefits
Reports have also noted that Nigeria’s Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act provides former Presidents and Heads of State and their immediate families with medical treatment in Nigeria and, where necessary, abroad at federal government expense.
The 2026 federal budget reportedly contains ₦2.3 billion for the entitlements of former presidents, Heads of State and their deputies.
It has not been established from the available reports whether Abubakar’s treatment at Krishna Shalby Hospital was fully or partly funded by the Nigerian government.
The viral advertisement has therefore evolved into a wider conversation about healthcare, medical tourism, patient privacy and the responsibilities of Nigerian leaders to strengthen domestic healthcare services.
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While the hospital has presented Abubakar’s treatment as an example of its international healthcare services, reactions in Nigeria have focused largely on what his treatment abroad represents for the country’s healthcare system.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the former Head of State’s appearance in the hospital’s promotional material, including whether he expressly consented to its advertising use, remain unclear.
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