I Drove Taxi, Did Menial Jobs To Fund My Education — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu recounted his journey to funding his university education in the United States, revealing that he initially drove a taxi and took up various jobs to finance his studies. He recounted having to delay starting school for several months due to insufficient funds to cover his expenses. The President shared this account in a personally signed statement, outlining the administration's education reforms.

Tinubu emphasized that his personal hardships shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by students seeking access to education. He highlighted how his experience motivated him to advocate for expanding educational opportunities in Nigeria. Even after moving to Chicago, Tinubu continued to work multiple jobs alongside his university studies to cover living expenses and tuition fees.

The President stressed that a child's financial background should not determine their educational opportunities. He expressed his belief that every Nigerian child deserves the same educational chances, regardless of their background. Tinubu, who studied accounting at Chicago State University, underscored the significance of his educational journey in his life.

The administration has prioritized education, with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) being one of its initiatives to alleviate the financial burden on students. So far, NELFUND has provided over N372 billion in loans to cover tuition fees and students' upkeep. Additionally, the government's technical and vocational education program has attracted over 2.8 million applications, and 38 technical colleges have been rehabilitated.

Tinubu also addressed the issue of university education, signing an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to increase academic staff remuneration by 40% and address stability concerns in the university system. He emphasized the importance of completing courses within the designated timeframe, urging an end to prolonged academic programs.

In the healthcare sector, Tinubu disclosed that N110 billion was invested in rehabilitating 24 medical schools, and annual nursing enrollment increased from 28,000 to 115,000. Admissions into medical and dental programs also rose from 5,000 to 12,000, reflecting the government's commitment to training healthcare professionals in Nigeria.