In Nigeria, political discussions often come with a bit of drama, but nothing quite compares to the never-ending mystery surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s age. According to a 1998 report by The Guardian Newspaper, Tinubu was 52 years old at the time. Fast forward to 2025, and he is now celebrating 73 years—a timeline that simply doesn’t add up.

If Tinubu was truly 52 years old in 1998, basic mathematics suggests that by 2025, he should be 79 years old, not 73. So where did the missing six years go? Was it a miscalculation? A reporting error? Or something else entirely?

Tinubu’s official records have always been a subject of speculation, with questions about his birthplace, education, and past political history surfacing repeatedly. But the age discrepancy remains one of the most talked-about mysteries in Nigerian politics.

This situation mirrors similar controversies in Nigeria’s leadership history, where the ages of public figures sometimes seem to be flexible rather than fixed. The question now is:

• Did The Guardian make a mistake in 1998?

• Was there a deliberate adjustment in later years?

• Why does Tinubu’s age timeline keep raising eyebrows?

Social media is buzzing with reactions, with many Nigerians questioning how Tinubu’s age appears to shrink over time instead of increasing naturally. Some have joked that he may have discovered the secret to reverse aging, while others see this as another example of political manipulation in official records.

One user wrote:

“At this rate, by 2030, Tinubu might just turn 65 again!”

Another commented:

“Nigeria is the only place where politicians get younger instead of older. Confusion everywhere!”

With President Tinubu holding the highest office in the land, one would expect full transparency regarding his personal history. However, as with many things in Nigerian politics, the more you look into it, the more complicated it becomes.

For now, Nigerians are left with more questions than answers, and until an official clarification is given, the mystery of Tinubu’s age will continue to be a topic of debate.

So, what do you think? Mathematical error or something more?