Bola Tinubu

Bola Tinubu
Born	Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu 29 3, 1952
Birthplace	Lagos, British Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Template:Plainlist
Title	President of Nigeria
Known for	16th President of Nigeria, Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007)
Education	Chicago State University (B.S.)
Spouse(s)	Oluremi Tinubu
Children	6
Awards	Template:Plainlist

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian politician and accountant who has served as the 16th President of Nigeria since 29 May 2023. Before ascending to the presidency, Tinubu served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, overseeing two terms during which he consolidated political influence across southwestern Nigeria. He also served as a senator representing Lagos West in the short-lived Third Republic Senate from December 1992 to November 1993. Born in Lagos during the colonial era, Tinubu spent formative years studying in the United States, where he earned a degree in accounting from Chicago State University, before returning to Nigeria and working as an accountant for Mobil Nigeria. His entry into electoral politics in the early 1990s was followed by a period of exile during the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha, during which he participated in the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) movement. After the return to civilian rule, he emerged as one of the most influential political figures in Nigeria, playing a central role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party to win the presidency.

Early Life

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu was born on 29 March 1952 in Lagos, which was then part of British Nigeria. Many details of Tinubu's early life have been subjects of public discussion and scrutiny over the years, with various accounts circulating about his family background and upbringing.

Tinubu's mother was Abibatu Mogaji, a prominent market leader in Lagos who was known for her influence in the commercial life of the city. Mogaji died at the age of 96. Among his known relatives is Wale Tinubu, who is his nephew.

Tinubu grew up in southwestern Nigeria, a region dominated by the Yoruba ethnic group. The political and commercial environment of Lagos, Nigeria's largest city and economic hub, shaped his early exposure to both commerce and public affairs. He spent his early years in Lagos before eventually traveling to the United States for higher education, a path that would prove formative in his later career in both the private sector and politics.

The specifics surrounding certain aspects of Tinubu's early biography, including some personal records, have been the subject of ongoing public discourse in Nigeria. Journalists and political opponents have at various times raised questions about elements of his biographical record, a matter that has persisted through multiple election cycles.

Education

Tinubu pursued higher education in the United States, enrolling at Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied accounting. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the institution. Chicago State University has confirmed that Tinubu attended and graduated from the university, responding to inquiries from Nigerian media outlets that sought to verify his academic credentials.

The question of Tinubu's educational background became a recurring subject in Nigerian political discourse, particularly during election campaigns. His academic qualifications were scrutinized by political opponents and sections of the media, with the university's confirmation of his credentials serving as a key reference point in the debate.

Career

Early Career at Mobil Nigeria

After completing his education in the United States, Tinubu returned to Nigeria during the 1980s. He joined Mobil Nigeria (the Nigerian subsidiary of the multinational oil company Mobil) as an accountant, drawing upon his training in accounting from Chicago State University. His time in the private sector at one of Nigeria's major oil companies provided him with experience in corporate finance and administration, skills that would later inform his approach to governance and public policy.

Senate Career in the Third Republic

Tinubu entered electoral politics in 1992, when he ran as a candidate for the Nigerian Senate representing the Lagos West constituency under the banner of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He won the election and took his seat in the Senate on 5 December 1992, during what is known as Nigeria's Third Republic—a brief period of democratic governance that followed military rule.

His tenure in the Senate was short-lived. In November 1993, military dictator General Sani Abacha dissolved the Senate and other democratic institutions as part of a broader seizure of power. Tinubu's senatorial career thus lasted less than a year, from December 1992 to November 1993. Despite its brevity, this period established Tinubu as a political figure in Lagos and introduced him to the national stage.

Exile and Pro-Democracy Activism

Following the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election—widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola—and the subsequent military takeover by Abacha, Tinubu went into exile. During this period, he became involved with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a coalition of pro-democracy activists, politicians, and civil society figures who campaigned for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria and the recognition of the 12 June 1993 election results.

NADECO operated both within Nigeria and from exile, with members facing harassment, detention, and in some cases violence from the military regime. Tinubu's participation in the movement positioned him among a generation of Nigerian political figures who opposed military rule and advocated for democratic transition.

The NADECO period was a defining chapter in the political careers of many Nigerian leaders who later rose to prominence after the return to civilian rule in 1999. For Tinubu, the experience of exile and pro-democracy activism became a central element of his political identity and was frequently referenced in subsequent campaigns.

Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007)

With the death of Abacha in 1998 and the subsequent democratic transition overseen by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria held elections in 1999 that ushered in the Fourth Republic. Tinubu ran for the governorship of Lagos State under the Alliance for Democracy (AD), a political party with a strong base in the Yoruba-speaking southwest of Nigeria. He won the gubernatorial election by a wide margin, succeeding the military administrator Buba Marwa.

Tinubu's first term as governor began on 29 May 1999. His administration in Lagos State undertook a number of governance initiatives, including efforts related to revenue generation, urban development, and restructuring of state institutions. Lagos, as Nigeria's commercial capital with a population of several million, presented both significant opportunities and complex governance challenges.

His first deputy governor was Kofoworola Bucknor, who served from 1999 to 2002. She was succeeded by Femi Pedro, who served as deputy governor from 2003 to 2007, with Abiodun Ogunleye briefly serving in 2007.

Tinubu won re-election to a second term as governor in 2003, consolidating his political hold on Lagos State. Throughout his eight years in office, he developed a political network and a cadre of political protégés who would go on to occupy significant positions in Lagos and national politics. His successor as governor, Babatunde Fashola, was one such protégé, taking office on 29 May 2007.

The Lagos State government under Tinubu also experienced periods of tension with the federal government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party. These disputes often centered on issues of federalism, resource allocation, and control of local government structures.

Political Influence After Governorship (2007–2022)

After leaving the governorship in 2007, Tinubu did not hold elected office for more than fifteen years, yet he remained one of the most influential figures in Nigerian politics. He earned the informal title "Jagaban of Borgu" and was widely referred to by the Yoruba honorific "Asiwaju" (meaning leader or forerunner), reflecting his status as a political leader and kingmaker in southwestern Nigeria and beyond.

Tinubu played a central role in the merger of several Nigerian opposition parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. The APC brought together the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as well as disaffected members of the ruling PDP. This merger was a landmark event in Nigerian politics, as it created a viable opposition party capable of defeating the PDP at the national level for the first time.

The APC's presidential candidate in 2015, Muhammadu Buhari, won the election, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan—the first time an incumbent president had been defeated at the ballot box in Nigerian history. Tinubu was credited as a key architect of the coalition that brought Buhari to power, further cementing his reputation as a political strategist and power broker.

Throughout this period, Tinubu's political organization supported candidates for gubernatorial, legislative, and local government positions across Nigeria's southwest and in other regions. His network of political allies and appointees extended into virtually every level of government in Lagos State and beyond.

2023 Presidential Election

In 2022, Tinubu declared his candidacy for the APC presidential nomination. After a contested primary, he secured the party's ticket and selected Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, as his running mate—a Muslim-Muslim ticket that generated significant debate in Nigeria given the country's tradition of balancing the presidency and vice-presidency between a Christian and a Muslim.

In the February 2023 presidential election, Tinubu defeated his main rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The election was closely contested and the results were challenged by the opposition candidates in court. However, the election tribunals ultimately upheld Tinubu's victory.

Presidency (2023–present)

Tinubu was inaugurated as the 16th President of Nigeria on 29 May 2023, succeeding Muhammadu Buhari. Kashim Shettima was sworn in as Vice President. Tinubu also assumed the role of Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources beginning on 21 August 2023, following the precedent set by his predecessor.

One of the earliest and most consequential actions of the Tinubu administration was the announcement of the removal of Nigeria's long-standing fuel subsidy. In his inaugural address, Tinubu declared that "the fuel subsidy is gone," a statement that had immediate economic repercussions across the country. The removal of the subsidy, which had kept domestic fuel prices artificially low for decades, was justified by the government on the grounds of fiscal pressures and the need to redirect public spending toward infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The policy led to a sharp increase in the price of petrol and a rise in transportation and commodity costs, prompting public debate and protests in several Nigerian cities.

The administration also undertook significant changes in the security sector, replacing the majority of military and paramilitary leadership in the early months of the presidency. These changes were described by the government as necessary for improving the country's security posture amid ongoing challenges including the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and separatist agitation in the southeast.

In 2025, the Tinubu government was reported to have paid a ransom of approximately N10 billion and released two senior Boko Haram commanders in order to secure the freedom of abducted schoolchildren and teachers, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.

The Tinubu administration dissolved the governing boards of numerous federal agencies and state-owned enterprises, a move that was described as part of an effort to restructure governance at the federal level.

On the international front, the Tinubu government supported regional efforts to respond to the 2025 Benin coup d'état and engaged in security cooperation with the United States against the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In February 2026, Tinubu appointed Tunji Disu as the new Inspector General of Police, replacing Kayode Egbetokun, in a shake-up of the police leadership.

The presidency has also been marked by engagement with state governors on matters of security, with Tinubu pledging support for states facing security challenges, including Bauchi State.

Personal Life

Bola Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, a senator who has represented Lagos Central in the Nigerian Senate. She has been a public figure in her own right, and has spoken publicly on political and social issues. The couple have six children.

Tinubu's mother, Abibatu Mogaji, was a prominent figure in Lagos commerce and was known as the leader of market women in the city. She died at the age of 96.

Tinubu holds the Yoruba chieftaincy title of "Asiwaju," which denotes a leadership position in Yoruba society. He is also known as the "Jagaban of Borgu," a title conferred on him by the traditional rulers of Borgu in Niger State.

Tinubu's health has been a subject of public speculation, particularly during the 2023 presidential campaign, though he has continued to carry out official duties as president.

In 2024, a false claim circulated on social media alleging that Tinubu's name appeared in documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This claim was debunked by fact-checking organizations, including Africa Check, which confirmed that there was no credible evidence linking Tinubu to the Epstein files.

Recognition

As President of Nigeria, Tinubu holds the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the highest honour in Nigeria, which is automatically conferred upon the sitting president.

Tinubu's political career has been recognized through various traditional and political titles. His title of "Asiwaju of Lagos" reflects his standing in the Yoruba political hierarchy, while the title "Jagaban of Borgu" signifies recognition from the traditional rulers of Borgu in Niger State. These titles, while honorary and traditional in nature, carry significant symbolic weight in Nigerian politics and society.

Throughout his career, Tinubu has been the subject of extensive media coverage, analysis, and biographical study. His role in the formation of the APC and in the 2015 election that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power has been the subject of books, articles, and documentary features in both Nigerian and international media.

Legacy

Tinubu's political career spans more than three decades, from his time as a senator in the Third Republic through his governorship of Lagos State and his eventual ascent to the presidency. His legacy is closely tied to several major developments in Nigerian political history.

As governor of Lagos State, Tinubu oversaw a period during which the state government developed new approaches to revenue generation and urban governance. Many of the political figures who served in his administration or were mentored by him went on to hold prominent positions at the state and national levels, earning Tinubu a reputation as a political mentor and organizer.

His role in the creation of the APC in 2013 is considered a turning point in Nigerian politics, as it led to the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another in the country's history in 2015. The merger of disparate opposition parties into a single entity capable of contesting national elections required significant political negotiation and alliance-building, much of which was attributed to Tinubu's organizational efforts.

As president, Tinubu's decision to remove the fuel subsidy upon taking office in May 2023 represented one of the most significant economic policy shifts in recent Nigerian history. The long-term effects of this policy, along with his administration's approach to security, governance restructuring, and international relations, remain subjects of ongoing analysis and debate.

Tinubu's career has also been marked by controversy, including disputes over his biographical details, questions about his academic credentials, and political rivalries. These controversies have been a persistent feature of public discourse about his political career.