Tinubu reveals taxi driver past, touts N372bn student loans and education overhaul
President Bola Tinubu shared his personal story on X Wednesday, revealing he drove a taxi in the US and postponed university for months to save tuition money—experiences he says drove the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The fund has now disbursed over N372 billion for institutional fees and student upkeep.
Beyond loans, students in federal and selected state technical colleges now get free tuition, boarding, textbooks, and uniforms. The technical and vocational programme has drawn 2.8 million applications, with 38 colleges rehabilitated. Tinubu also announced a new ASUU agreement granting 40% pay increases for lecturers and measures to ensure four-year courses actually finish in four years.
Over one million previously out-of-school children have returned to classrooms. The government is investing N110 billion to rehabilitate 24 medical schools, while annual nursing enrolment has jumped from 28,000 to 115,000 and medical/dental admissions from 5,000 to 12,000.
An interactive Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative A-Z platform now lets parents, students, and teachers track programmes and opportunities. Tinubu urged Nigerians to report education gaps in their communities through the platform for government action.
With NELFUND loans, free technical education, and expanded medical training slots now available, will you explore these options for yourself or your children, or does the gap between announcement and access remain too wide?