I Was Once a Taxi Driver in America. – President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement has described his time working in the United States as a young man and linked those experiences to his administration’s student loan programme.

President Tinubu stated that after arriving in the United States he drove a taxi to raise money for his education and postponed starting school for several months in order to save enough funds. He said that once in Chicago he took on different jobs to support himself and pay his way through university, covering tuition, accommodation and living expenses.

He noted that those experiences have remained with him and that he understands the pressure of managing education costs while studying. President Tinubu added that education created opportunities in his own life and that he believes Nigerian children should have similar access regardless of where they are born or their parents’ financial situation.

He cited this background as one reason education is a priority for his administration. According to Tinubu, NELFUND has provided over ₦372 billion in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep to help young Nigerians remain in school.