Presidency and The Weight of Office

  Written by: Osunlana Adeleke

Picture via Google.

The presidency is, without question, one of the most demanding jobs in the world. Yet, the lived experiences of presidents differ drastically depending on the nation they serve.

Two Presidencies with Different Weight of Office to bear. In comparing the presidents of the United States and Nigeria, one cannot help but notice a curious pattern: American presidents, who often take office looking vibrant and full of vigor, tend to emerge years later visibly aged and weary.

 In contrast, Nigerian presidents, many of whom enter office looking frail and aged, often leave looking healthier, younger, and seemingly rejuvenated.

                

So, what explains this stark difference?  

The Role of an American President: A Job That Ages You

The American presidency is a relentless crucible of stress, decision-making, and accountability. From day one, a U.S. president is thrust into a whirlwind of global and domestic crises. The president must tackle wars, manage economic downturns, navigate pandemics, and respond to natural disasters — often simultaneously.  

The responsibilities are compounded by the unique role the U.S. president plays as both a domestic leader and a global powerbroker. Every word they utter is scrutinized. Every decision — from signing executive orders to responding to international conflicts — carries immense weight, often with life-or-death consequences.  

Presidents like Barack Obama, who entered office youthful and confident, left after eight years noticeably grayer and thinner. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush bore similar transformations. Even with access to the best healthcare and wellness routines, the job inevitably takes its toll. The endless cycle of high-stakes decisions, long hours, and public scrutiny leaves little room for rest or personal rejuvenation.

         

The Nigerian Presidency: A Paradox of Power 

In Nigeria, the presidency seems to follow a different rhythm altogether. Many Nigerian presidents, often older and frailer when assuming office, leave their tenure looking far more robust than when they entered. This peculiar phenomenon raises questions about the pressures — or lack thereof — associated with holding the highest office in Africa’s most populous nation.

     

Critics argue that the Nigerian presidency is less about managing crises and more about enjoying the perks of power. Unlike their American counterparts, Nigerian presidents often face limited scrutiny, operate in less transparent environments, and wield immense personal control over state resources. Governance can sometimes appear secondary to the benefits of holding office: luxurious residences, exclusive healthcare, and an entourage of aides to delegate most tasks.       

This perception is further fueled by systemic inefficiencies in governance. While the U.S. presidency operates within a system of checks and balances that demands accountability, Nigerian leadership is often plagued by corruption, political patronage, and minimal public oversight.

                 

With much of the heavy lifting left to subordinates, presidents may have the time and resources to focus on personal well-being rather than the nation’s pressing issues.  

Who’s Really Working?

The comparison between these two presidencies begs a provocative question: who is really working — American presidents or their Nigerian counterparts?  

On one hand, American presidents are visibly burdened by the weight of their office, their transformation over four or eight years serving as physical proof of their exertions. On the other hand, Nigerian presidents, while presiding over a country with significant challenges, appear to emerge from their tenure relatively unscathed — if not rejuvenated.

             

The optics suggest that American presidents are subjected to intense pressure, while Nigerian leaders, shielded by systemic inefficiencies, often enjoy the trappings of power more than they tackle its responsibilities.  

The African Presidency: Work or Leisure?

The contrast highlights broader systemic differences. African nations like Nigeria face unique challenges, from underdevelopment to entrenched corruption, that make leadership fundamentally different from that in the U.S. However, these challenges also require visionary leadership and tireless dedication — traits that many argue are lacking in Nigeria’s political landscape.                         

Ultimately, the transformation seen in presidents — whether they age rapidly or appear rejuvenated — may serve as a metaphor for their governance. In the U.S., the presidency is a crucible, burning through vitality to deliver results. In Nigeria, it sometimes feels like a fountain of youth, invigorating those who hold the reins of power.

          

It leaves us to ponder: is leadership truly about the burden of service, or has it become, in some places, a privilege to enjoy? Perhaps the answer lies not in the presidents themselves but in the systems that either demand their labor or enable their leisure.

The Job of a President: America vs. Nigeria 

The presidency, while a symbol of ultimate power, is far from an easy position, demanding unparalleled dedication and resilience. Yet, there is an observable paradox: U.S. presidents often leave office visibly aged and fatigued, while many Nigerian presidents emerge from their tenure looking refreshed and seemingly more youthful. This stark difference stems from structural, systemic, and cultural factors that govern the nature of leadership in both nations.

American Presidents: A Job That Ages You  

1. Workload and Responsibilities  

    Global and Domestic Role: The U.S. president is both the head of state and government, managing an economy of $25.5 trillion (2023 GDP) while also navigating complex foreign relations.

                   

    Decision Fatigue: Daily responsibilities include reviewing intelligence briefings, managing crises, signing laws, and meeting with stakeholders, often for 12–16 hours a day.  

    High-Stress Crises: From the Cuban Missile Crisis (JFK, 1962) to the COVID-19 pandemic (Donald Trump, 2020), American presidents deal with events that significantly impact the nation and the world.

2. Visible Aging of U.S. Presidents  

    Barack Obama: Entered office in 2009 at 47, left in 2017 looking significantly grayer, a transformation he jokingly attributed to the stress of the job. Studies estimate that the U.S. presidency ages individuals twice as fast as normal due to stress-related health issues.

                                  

    Bill Clinton: Left office in 2001 with noticeable weight fluctuations and health concerns, later undergoing quadruple bypass surgery.  

3. Health Studies and Presidential Stress  

    A 2011 study by BMJ noted that U.S. presidents tend to age 2 years for every 1 year in office. Sleep deprivation, constant scrutiny, and the stress of decision-making contribute to this phenomenon.  

    Mental Toll: Abraham Lincoln once referred to the presidency as “a life of exhausting toil.” The mental burden of leading a superpower with global responsibilities weighs heavily.                         

4. Scrutiny and Accountability

    The U.S. president is held accountable by Congress, the judiciary, a free press, and public opinion. Failures are exposed and criticized, adding to the pressure.  

Nigerian Presidents: Power Without Accountability?

1. Contrasting Workload

   Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $504 billion (2023), faces significant challenges: 33% unemployment, 20% inflation, corruption, and widespread insecurity. However, the presidency is often seen as more ceremonial than functional.                           

    Delegation of Duties: Many Nigerian presidents delegate critical functions to ministers, advisers, and aides. For instance, reports suggest that during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency (2015–2023), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo often handled day-to-day governance while Buhari was away on medical leave for over 200 days during his tenure.

2. Health Rejuvenation in Office:  

   Muhammadu Buhari: Entered office in 2015 at 72, visibly frail. After several extended medical trips to the UK, he appeared healthier by the time he left office in 2023.  

    Olusegun Obasanjo: Before assuming office in 1999, Obasanjo’s health was visibly poor after his imprisonment. He left office in 2007 appearing vibrant and energetic, famously taking up farming post-presidency.  

3. Luxury and Privilege in Office

    Nigerian presidents enjoy unrivaled privileges: fleets of private jets, expansive mansions, and the best healthcare abroad. In 2023, the budget for the presidential fleet alone exceeded ₦4.5 billion ($5.8 million).  

    Healthcare Abroad: Nigerian leaders frequently travel abroad for medical care, often at taxpayers’ expense, rather than improving local healthcare systems.

4. Systemic Corruption  

    Transparency International ranked Nigeria 150 out of 180 countries on the 2022 Corruption Perception Index. Leadership in such an environment often prioritizes personal gain over public service.  

    Resource Mismanagement: Despite receiving $396 billion in oil revenue between 1999 and 2023, Nigeria struggles with basic infrastructure and widespread poverty, raising questions about the focus of its leadership.

5. Minimal Public Accountability  

    Unlike their American counterparts, Nigerian presidents often face little scrutiny. Media and institutional checks are weak, allowing leaders to operate without the stress of public accountability.

     

Facts and Figures: Who’s Really Working? 

                     Stress vs. Privilege

American presidents embody leadership through action, bearing the brunt of national and global pressures. Their visible aging is a testament to the relentless demands of the office. 

Nigerian presidents, by contrast, operate in a system where leadership is often detached from public service. Their transformations reflect the privileges of power, with access to healthcare, luxury, and minimal accountability overshadowing the burdens of governance.                               

The evidence is clear: while U.S. presidents leave their mark on history through tireless effort, Nigerian presidents leave office revitalized, raising questions about the true nature of leadership in Africa’s largest democracy.

 Is it time for African nations to demand more from their leaders, ensuring that power is synonymous with service, not privilege?