Tinubu Wears ₦400Million Wristwatch Amid Worsening Economy, Hunger
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appearance at the 2025 Eyo Festival in Lagos State has sparked widespread public debate after photographs from the event showed him wearing a luxury wristwatch reportedly worth about ₦400 million.
The watch, identified as a rose-gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph (reference number 5980/1R-001), is valued at over $271,000, according to listings on the luxury watch marketplace Chrono24. One such listing, with code Q5W7P4, places the price at €224,900 and indicates a 2022 production year.
Details from the listing describe the timepiece as featuring a rose-gold case and bracelet, powered by an automatic movement (Caliber CH 28-520 C), with a 55-hour power reserve and 35 jewels. The watch is marketed as a men’s or unisex luxury chronograph and ranks among the most expensive wristwatches currently in circulation.
President Tinubu was seen wearing the watch while dressed in traditional white attire during the culturally significant Eyo Festival. However, the luxury accessory quickly became a focal point of criticism, with many Nigerians questioning the optics of such opulence at a time when the country is grappling with severe economic challenges.
Nigeria is currently facing soaring inflation, rising food prices, fuel subsidy removal, and worsening economic hardship, conditions that have made the president’s choice of wristwear a subject of intense scrutiny across social media and public discourse.
The controversy surrounding the president’s appearance comes amid other incidents linked to the ongoing Eyo Festival. Earlier, outrage erupted online following the circulation of a viral video showing Eyo masquerades assaulting a man during the festival. The footage showed several men in traditional white regalia repeatedly striking the victim with their staves as onlookers watched.
In a separate incident captured on video the same day, residents were seen throwing chairs and other objects at a group of Eyo masquerades during a procession. The clash reportedly occurred when the masquerades approached a gated area where residents had gathered.
As debates continue over leadership, symbolism, and public sensitivity, the events surrounding the Eyo Festival have once again highlighted tensions between cultural celebration, public safety, and the realities of Nigeria’s current economic situation.
