A report by The ICIR shows how slangs have consistently played a prominent role as a street language in Nigeria and has also featured prominently in the social media space. They often come from celebrities, influential people’s gaffes or even some innocuous event.

Social media have also played a significant role in popularising them, making Nigerians incorporate them usually into informal communication and sometimes have found themselves in formal settings.

A new slang, “T-pain,” has surfaced on social media. Originally, “T-pain” is known as the alias of the American musician, songwriter, and record producer, Faheem Rashad Najm, but in Nigeria, “T-pain” is used to refer to the nation’s president, Bola Tinubu and the economic hardship faced by citizens since his assumption of office.

Although, many people use it to make different jokes, beneath the humour is a grave worry about how President Tinubu’s economic reforms affect regular citizens.

While some say the slang is derived from the the first letter of the president’s name and the word “pain,” reflects the widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, others say the word, “T-pain” simply means “temporary pain”, implying that the current condition in the country is for a while.

‘Things are expensive so T-pain is valid’

While justifying the use of T-pain to refer to the president, some youths in different parts of the country shared how the president’s policies are affecting them.

A youth, simply called Dayo, shared how he has suddenly become a very angry person due to the frustrations he get on a daily basis as a result of this administration’s policies, adding that calling the president T-pain is very valid.

“When I saw the name T-pain, it was very funny but people calling the president T-pain is very valid because since he became president, it has been from one level of pain to another.

“I have found myself getting really frustrated a lot. Normally, I am a really happy person but the  situation pisses me off. I actually find myself talking about Nigeria a bit too much these days.

“Also, it has actually made me start considering leaving the country. Prior to this, I only had plans to visit or do my masters but now, I just want to go outside,” he lamented.

Another youth, Ubokobong Wilson, shared his travails of this present administration and his understanding of the word “T-pain” with The ICIR.

“It is synonymous to Tinubu plus pain. I think Nigerians coined it in tandem with the pains and suffering the administration of President Tinubu has brought on us.

“He has made some economic policies which may be good or not but the timing and the measures put in place to cushion the effect of the policies have been sadly zero.

“Previously shuttles charge me about a N,1000 to get to the office, but as we speak, the increase has been a whooping 100 per cent.

“Prices of foodstuff too have skyrocketed. You know the cost of a bag of rice presently compared to previous administrations; it’s really sad,” he said.

This is also the case for Jawn Tee, a young business owner. He lamented of the pains he passes through trying to keep his business alive in these times.

“T-pain is a nickname for a president whose name starts with T and puts his people through pain. Things are really expensive. Fuel is on the high side, transportation has tripled.

“Personally, in my business, it is crazy because why am I buying a crate of egg for 5500 naira or 6000 naira? I drive everyday and even if I buy what is supposed to be enough fuel, it will not take me to my destination. It is crazy, draining and stressful,” he said.

Atiku dubs Tinubu T-pain

Like every other Nigerian, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, also took to social media to express his disappointment on Tinubu’s approach to the current hardship faced in the country, calling him T-pain.

He stated that Tinubu’s approach to managing the fuel subsidy had led to a sharp rise in inflation, severely affecting the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians.

“As things stand, there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians.

“It is even more worrying that T-Pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country,” he said.

Tinubu not aware of being labelled T-pain- Presidency

Meanwhile, the presidency has claimed that the president is not aware that he is being called “T-pain” on social media since he does not use social media.

Speaking at a recent interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga noted that the president feels the pains of Nigerians and working towards making the country better.

“The President is aware that the citizens are going through some difficulties, but he is not aware that some persons have labelled him T-pain on social media as he does not read what is on the social media.”

“Some people have also responded and called the President a different name. So, as far as I am concerned, it is a non-issue.

“Some people out of mischief just say somebody is a T-pain, He (Tinubu) is not T-pain. The President has never shied away from telling Nigerians that he feels their pain and he is working very hard to make sure that he gives them some relief so that things will get better and this country will get more prosperity,” he said.

Despite the outcry by Nigerians, the president maintains that the reforms by his administration are necessary for long-term economic growth.

However, with the public’s patience wearing thin, it is necessary for the government to prioritise the needs of its citizens.