SEE HOW PRESIDENT TINUBU DROVE TAXI IN AMERICA

“I WAS ONCE A TAXI DRIVER IN AMERICA” — TINUBU REVEALS HOW HE PAID HIS WAY THROUGH UNIVERSITY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that he once worked as a taxi driver in the United States to raise money for his education, explaining that his personal struggles as a student influenced his commitment to expanding access to education in Nigeria.

The President made the revelation in a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. According to him, his early days in America were not easy, as he had to work and save money before beginning his studies.

Tinubu said he postponed starting school for several months after arriving in the United States so he could raise enough money to support his education. When he eventually settled in Chicago, he took on different jobs, including driving a taxi, to meet his tuition, accommodation and daily living expenses.
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Personal experience behind NELFUND
The President said those experiences taught him how difficult it could be for young people to pursue higher education when they lack sufficient financial support. He explained that education had opened doors for him and that Nigerian children should also have opportunities to succeed, regardless of their family background or financial circumstances.

He linked this experience to the establishment and expansion of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial assistance to eligible students in tertiary institutions.

Tinubu stated that NELFUND had disbursed more than ₦372 billion in student loans to cover institutional fees and students’ upkeep. This figure was presented by the President as part of his administration’s education achievements.
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Other education achievements highlighted
Beyond the student loan programme, Tinubu also highlighted several education-related initiatives:
– More than 2.8 million applications for the government’s technical and vocational education programme.
– Rehabilitation of 38 technical colleges.
– Free tuition, boarding, textbooks and uniforms for students in federal and selected state technical colleges.
– A reported 40 per cent increase in academic staff remuneration under a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
– ₦110 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of 24 medical schools.
– Increased enrolment in nursing, medical and dental programmes.
– The return of more than one million previously out-of-school children to learning, according to the President.
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A message to Nigerian students
Tinubu maintained that the circumstances of a child’s birth should not determine how far that child can go in life. He urged parents, students and teachers to explore available government education opportunities and provide feedback on problems affecting schools in their communities.

His disclosure has also drawn attention to the importance of working while studying, the financial challenges facing university students and the role of accessible student financing.

Reward Root Blog’s observation: The President’s account offers a personal explanation for why he considers education financing important. However, the success of any student loan programme should ultimately be measured by how many students can access it, remain in school and complete their studies without unbearable financial pressure. Nigerian students will be watching to see how these promises translate into practical opportunities.

Reward Root Blog | November 2026

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