Tinubu further noted that the experience is one of the reasons education is a priority of his administration.
By Kehinde Okeowo
President Bola Tinubu has recalled that he had to drive a cab in his bid to survive while studying as a student in the United States of America.
He reshared and highlighted these early experiences on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in public statements shared via a social media post.
According to him, he was forced to drive a taxi as a young man shortly after arriving in the United States, before he deferred and restarted his studies at Richard Daley College and later attended Chicago State University.
Tinubu went on to compare his past experiences with his administration’s student loan programme, noting he drove the taxi to raise money for his education and postponed starting school for several months in order to save enough funds.
He further said he also took on different jobs to support himself and pay his way through university, covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.
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He, however, added that the 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.
“I was once a taxi driver in America. Those experiences have remained with me and I understand the pressure of managing education costs while studying.
“Education created opportunities in my own life and I believe Nigerian children should have similar access regardless of where they are born or their parents’ financial situation,” Tinubu said.
The President cited this background as one reason education is a priority for his administration.
He stated that NELFUND has provided over ₦372 billion in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep to help young Nigerians remain in school.
