Tinubu: My taxi-driving days in US shaped my education reforms

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recalled his days as a taxi driver in the United States, saying the struggle to pay his way through school shaped his administration’s focus on education.

In a personal message on Wednesday, Tinubu said when he first arrived in the US as a young man, he drove a taxi to earn money for his education and had to postpone starting school for several months to save enough.

When he eventually got to Chicago, he worked different jobs to support himself and pay his 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,” he said.

Tinubu said every Nigerian child deserves the same opportunity education gave him, regardless of where they are born or what their parents can afford.

He listed the achievements of his administration in the sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda:

– NELFUND: Over N372 billion provided in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep
– TVET: Over 2.8 million applications received; 38 technical colleges rehabilitated; free school fees, boarding, textbooks and uniforms in federal and selected state technical colleges
– ASUU: New agreement providing 40% increase in academic staff remuneration
– Medical education: N110 billion invested in rehabilitating 24 medical schools; nursing enrolment up from 28,000 to 115,000; medical and dental enrolment up from 5,000 to 12,000
– Out-of-school children: Over one million returned to learning

“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,” Tinubu said.

He also said the government is investing in teacher development, expanding opportunities for girls, and implementing a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian History to classrooms.

Tinubu commended the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, Minister of State, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and the education team for their work.

He announced an interactive A-Z of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) at http://edu4pbat.ng, where Nigerians can explore reforms, programmes and opportunities.

“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,” he said.

“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.”