Bola Tinubu

Bola Tinubu is a Nigerian politician and accountant who has served as the President of Nigeria since 2023. A dominant figure in Nigerian politics for decades, he previously served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and is widely regarded as a key architect of the All Progressives Congress, the nation's ruling party. His presidency follows a contentious 2023 election and is focused on economic reforms, security challenges, and the continuation of policies from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Early life and education

Bola Tinubu was born in Lagos into a family with roots in Iragbiji, Osun State. He began his early education at St. John's Primary School, Aroloya and later attended Children's Home School in Ibadan. For his secondary education, he went to Government College, Ibadan before proceeding to the United States in the 1970s. There, he first studied at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Chicago State University in 1979.

Business career

Upon returning to Nigeria, Tinubu worked as an accountant and auditor for the American companies Arthur Andersen and Deloitte. He later held senior executive positions at Mobil Nigeria, now part of ExxonMobil. His business interests expanded significantly after entering politics, with reported holdings in sectors including media, through TV Continental, and real estate. His financial dealings and the source of his wealth, often described as a "political war chest," have been subjects of scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and featured in various investigative reports.

Political career

Tinubu's political ascent began during the Third Nigerian Republic, when he was elected to the Senate in 1992 representing the Lagos West Senatorial District under the banner of the Social Democratic Party. Following the annulment of the June 12 election and the subsequent military rule under Sani Abacha, he became involved in the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition. With the return to democracy in 1999, he was elected Governor of Lagos State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, serving two terms. As governor, he initiated major reforms in revenue generation, leading to the creation of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, and oversaw significant infrastructure projects. He later played a pivotal role in forming the opposition Action Congress, which ultimately merged with other parties to create the All Progressives Congress in 2013, a coalition that successfully unseated the People's Democratic Party in the 2015 presidential election.

Presidency

Tinubu was declared the winner of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election after a campaign under the All Progressives Congress, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. His inauguration on 29 May 2023 took place at Eagle Square in Abuja. Key early policies of his administration included the controversial removal of the petroleum subsidy, which triggered significant inflation, and the floating of the Nigerian naira. His presidency has grappled with ongoing security crises involving Boko Haram, banditry, and separatist agitation in the Southeast, while pursuing an economic agenda encapsulated in the "Renewed Hope" manifesto.

Personal life

Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, a senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District. Their children include Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who serves as the Iya Oloja General of Nigeria. He is a Muslim from the southwestern region of Nigeria and is known by the chieftaincy title of *Asiwaju of Lagos*. His health and periods of absence from the public eye have occasionally been topics of national discussion.

Legacy and public image

Tinubu's legacy is deeply polarizing. Supporters hail him as a master political strategist, "the godfather of Lagos" and a key figure in modern Nigerian democracy for his role in building the All Progressives Congress. Critics, however, point to persistent allegations of corruption, godfatherism, and the economic hardships that have marked his early presidency. His influence on the political trajectories of successors like Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State is considered profound, cementing his image as one of Nigeria's most powerful and enduring political figures. Category:1952 births Category:Presidents of Nigeria Category:Governors of Lagos State Category:Nigerian accountants Category:All Progressives Congress politicians Category:Living people