Tinubu recalls driving taxi in US to fund education, says every Nigerian child deserves fair chance

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu has recounted how he worked as a taxi driver in the United States and later took several jobs in Chicago to finance his university education, saying the experience shaped his administration’s focus on expanding educational opportunity through the Renewed Hope agenda.

In a statement on Wednesday, the President said he had to postpone starting school for several months after arriving in the United States to save enough money.

“When I first arrived in the United States as a young man, I drove a taxi to earn money for my education. I even had to postpone starting school for several months to save enough,” Tinubu said.

He added that his time in Chicago taught him the pressure of paying for tuition, accommodation and daily needs while studying.

“I know what it means to worry about tuition, accommodation and how to make ends meet while pursuing an education. Those experiences have stayed with me,” he said.

Tinubu said his personal history informed his belief that no Nigerian child should be denied education because of family income or place of birth.

He described education as a central pillar of the Renewed Hope administration.

“I know what education made possible in my own life, and I believe every Nigerian child deserves that same opportunity, regardless of where they are born or what their parents can afford,” the President said.

He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention, saying it has disbursed more than ₦372 billion in loans for institutional fees and student upkeep.

“Through NELFUND, we have provided over ₦372 billion in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep, helping young Nigerians remain in school and pursue their education,” Tinubu said.

The President also highlighted a technical and vocational education programme that has attracted more than 2.8 million applications, alongside the rehabilitation of 38 technical colleges.

He said students in federal and selected state technical colleges now receive free school fees, boarding, textbooks and uniforms.

On university stability, Tinubu said his administration reached a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), providing for a 40 per cent increase in academic staff remuneration.

“A four-year course must take four years. Our young people deserve to complete their education on time and get on with their lives,” he said.

In medical education, he announced a ₦110 billion investment to rehabilitate 24 medical schools.

Tinubu said annual nursing enrolment has risen from 28,000 to 115,000, while medical and dental enrolment has increased from 5,000 to 12,000.

He also said over one million children who were previously out of school have returned to learning, with government investment directed at teacher development, girls’ education and a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian History to classrooms.

Tinubu commended Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad and the Federal Ministry of Education for developing an interactive A–Z guide to the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

The platform, available at edu4pbat.ng, brings together information on reforms, programmes, achievements and opportunities across Nigeria’s education sector.

“If you are a parent, find out what opportunities are available for your children. If you are a student, explore the programmes you can benefit from. If you are a teacher, see what support is available,” Tinubu said.

He urged Nigerians to use the platform and report challenges in their communities, saying feedback would help government identify and resolve problems.

“The circumstances of a child’s birth should never determine the limits of their ambition. Our responsibility is to give every Nigerian child a fair chance to fulfil their potential,” the President said.