Bola Tinubu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bola Tinubu
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Official portrait, 2023
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| 16th President of Nigeria | |
| Assumed office 29 May 2023 |
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| Vice President | Kashim Shettima |
| Preceded by | Muhammadu Buhari |
| Minister of Petroleum Resources | |
| Assumed office 21 August 2023 |
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| President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Muhammadu Buhari |
| 12th Governor of Lagos State | |
| In office 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 |
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| Deputy | Kofoworola Bucknor Femi Pedro Abiodun Ogunleye |
| Preceded by | Buba Marwa |
| Succeeded by | Babatunde Fashola |
| Member of the Nigerian Senate for Lagos West |
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| In office 5 December 1992 – 17 November 1993 |
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| Succeeded by | Wahab Dosunmu (1999) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu
29 March 1952 Lagos, British Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse |
Remi Tinubu
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Abibatu Mogaji (mother) Wale Tinubu (nephew) |
| Education |
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Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian politician. He is the 16th and current president of Nigeria, serving since 2023. Before becoming president, he was the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. He also served as a senator for Lagos West in the early 1990s.
Tinubu grew up in southwestern Nigeria. He later moved to the United States to study accounting. He returned to Nigeria in the 1980s and worked as an accountant for Mobil Nigeria. He then entered politics. When military rule ended in 1999, he became governor of Lagos State. After his time as governor, he helped form the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party in 2013. In 2023, he was elected president of Nigeria.
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Early Life and Education
Bola Tinubu was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His mother, Abibatu Mogaji, was a well-known merchant in Lagos. Most sources agree he was born in 1952.
He went to St. John's Primary School in Lagos and Children Home School in Ibadan. In 1975, Tinubu moved to the United States. He studied at Richard J. Daley College and then at Chicago State University. He focused on accounting and management. To pay for college, he worked different jobs like a dishwasher and a cab driver. He was a very good student and even helped teach other students. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1979.
After college, Tinubu worked as an accountant for big companies like Arthur Andersen and Deloitte. He also worked for Mobil Oil UK and later for Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited. He became a senior executive and treasurer in the 1980s. He later decided to leave his job at Mobil to focus on politics.
Starting in Politics
Tinubu's political journey began in 1991. He joined the Social Democratic Party. He actively supported Moshood Kashimawo Abiola in his presidential campaign.
Serving in the Senate
In 1992, Tinubu was elected to the Nigerian Senate. He represented the Lagos West Senatorial District. In the Senate, he led the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Currency.
After the 1993 presidential election results were cancelled, Tinubu helped create the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). This group worked to bring back democracy and recognize Abiola as the election winner.
Time in Exile
When General Sani Abacha took power as military head of state, Tinubu faced threats. He had to leave Nigeria for his safety in 1994. While in exile, he continued to fight for democracy with NADECO. He returned to Nigeria in 1998 after Abacha's death. This led to Nigeria becoming a democracy again.
Before the 1999 elections, Tinubu joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party. He won the party's primary election for Lagos State governor. In January 1999, he was elected Governor of Lagos State.
Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007)
As governor, Tinubu was known for his strong leadership. He was the only governor from his party to win re-election in 2003. This happened even when many other states in the South West were won by the rival People's Democratic Party (PDP).
During his eight years as governor, Tinubu started many new road projects. These roads were needed for Lagos State's fast-growing population. He received several awards for his leadership. These included "Best Governor in Nigeria" in 2000 and an award for improving the living environment. He also received an honorary law degree for his work in democracy and good governance.
Tinubu's term as Lagos State Governor ended on 29 May 2007. His former chief of staff, Babatunde Fashola, took over as governor.
After Being Governor (2007–2023)
After leaving office, Tinubu worked to unite different opposition parties. He wanted to create a strong party that could challenge the ruling PDP. In February 2013, he helped form the All Progressives Congress (APC). This new party was a merger of several opposition groups.
Leading the All Progressives Congress
In 2014, Tinubu supported former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari was a popular leader in Northern Nigeria. Tinubu initially wanted to be Buhari's running mate (Vice President). However, he later agreed for Yemi Osinbajo, his ally, to take that role. In 2015, Buhari and the APC won the election. This was a big moment because it was the first time an acting Nigerian president lost to an opposition candidate.
Tinubu played an important role in Buhari's government. He supported government policies and helped manage the party. In 2019, he supported Buhari's re-election, which Buhari won.
President of Nigeria (2023–present)
Becoming President in 2023
On 10 January 2022, Tinubu officially announced he would run for president. On 8 June 2022, he won the APC party's vote to become their presidential candidate.
On 1 March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. He received the most votes, defeating his main opponents, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
The election had some challenges. There were reports of delays, issues at polling places, and questions about how results were uploaded. Some opposition parties questioned the results. However, the legal challenges were later cleared.
His Time in Office
Tinubu officially became president on 29 May 2023. He was sworn in at a ceremony in Abuja. Many leaders from other countries attended the event. He received Nigeria's highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
In his first speech, President Tinubu announced the removal of the government's fuel subsidy. This subsidy had made fuel cheaper but cost the government a lot of money. Removing it caused fuel prices to go up. This decision was seen by some as a positive step for Nigeria's economy.
On 9 June, President Tinubu suspended Godwin Emefiele, the head of Nigeria's central bank. This decision was part of planned reforms in the financial sector. Five days later, the central bank changed rules for foreign exchange. This allowed the Nigerian currency to trade more freely. These financial changes are part of Tinubu's plan to improve the Nigerian economy.
President Tinubu has also made several important appointments. He appointed Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Femi Gbajabiamila became his Chief of Staff. He also appointed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser. This appointment was seen as a new direction for Nigeria's security leadership.
In August 2023, President Tinubu supported military action in Niger during a political crisis there. On 16 February 2024, he appointed Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, who is married to his daughter, to lead the Federal Housing Authority. This decision led to some criticism. On 29 May 2024, Tinubu signed a law to bring back Nigeria, We Hail Thee as the country's national anthem. This replaced Arise, O Compatriots.
Personal Life
Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, who was a senator for Lagos Central. They married in 1987 and have three children together: Zainab, Habibat, and Olayinka. He also has three other children from previous relationships: Kazeem, Folashade, and Oluwaseyi.
His mother, Abibatu Mogaji, passed away in 2013 at the age of 96. His son, Jide Tinubu, died in London in 2017.
Tinubu is a Muslim.
Honours and Decorations
National Honours
Nigeria:
Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) (25 May 2023)
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Traditional Titles
Tinubu holds two important traditional chieftaincy titles. He is known as the "Asiwaju" of Lagos. He is also the "Jagaba" of the Borgu Emirate in Niger State.
See also
In Spanish: Bola Tinubu para niños
