President Bola Tinubu has said that he was once a taxi driver in the United States of America.
Tinubu, in a statement, compared his past experiences with his administration’s student loan programme.
According to him, after arriving in the United States, he drove a taxi to raise money for his education and postponed starting school for several months in order to save enough funds.
He said that once in Chicago he took on different jobs to support himself and pay his way through university, covering tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
He noted that those 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 N372 billion in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep to help young Nigerians remain in school.
