President Bola Tinubu has recounted how he worked as a taxi driver and took on different jobs in the United States to finance his education, saying the experience shaped his commitment to ensuring every Nigerian child has access to quality education regardless of their background.
Tinubu, in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, said he had to postpone starting school for several months after arriving in the US in order to save enough money for tuition and other expenses before eventually enrolling in Chicago.
The president added that the struggles he faced as a student remain the driving force behind the education reforms being implemented under his administration.
Tinubu stated: “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.
“When I eventually got to Chicago, I worked different jobs to support myself and pay my way through university. 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.”
Tinubu said his administration had made education one of the pillars of its Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that no Nigerian child should be denied the opportunity to fulfil their potential because of financial constraints.
Highlighting achievements in the sector, the president said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had provided more than N372 billion in student loans covering institutional fees and upkeep to enable students remain in school.
He said: “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.
“This is one reason education remains a major priority of our Renewed Hope administration.”
Tinubu also disclosed that the federal government’s technical and vocational education programme had attracted over 2.8 million applications, while 38 technical colleges had been rehabilitated. Students in federal and selected state technical colleges, he added, now enjoy free tuition, boarding, textbooks and uniforms.
Tinubu further stated his administration had reached an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), providing for a 40 per cent increase in academic staff remuneration alongside measures aimed at ensuring stability in the nation’s universities.
“A four-year course must take four years. Our young people deserve to complete their education on time and get on with their lives. Promise made, Promise Kept,” the president added.
Tinubu also announced a N110 billion investment in the rehabilitation of 24 medical schools, noting that annual nursing enrolment had increased from 28,000 to 115,000, while medical and dental student intake had risen from 5,000 to 12,000.
Tinubu said more than one million out-of-school children had been returned to classrooms, while the government was investing in teacher development, expanding opportunities for girls’ education and implementing a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian History to schools.
He said: “Nigeria needs more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and we must build the capacity to train them here at home.
“Over one million children who were previously out of school have been returned to learning. We are investing in teacher development, expanding educational opportunities for girls, and implementing a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian History to our classrooms.
“Our children must know where we have come from, understand the country they belong to, and be prepared to take responsibility for its future.”
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Tinubu, therefore, commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and other officials for driving the reforms.
He also unveiled the interactive A-Z of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), urging Nigerians to explore available education programmes and provide feedback to help improve service delivery.
Tinubu noted: “I invite every Nigerian to visit http://edu4pbat.ng and explore the A–Z of NESRI.
“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.
“And if something is not working as it should in your community, I want to hear about it. Your feedback will help us identify problems and address them.
“Our journey from reform to opportunities and shared prosperity must begin with education.
“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.
“We have more work to do, and I am determined to see it through.”
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