President of Nigeria since 2023
"Tinubu" redirects here. For other uses, see Tinubu (disambiguation).
AsiwajuBola Ahmed Adekunle TinubuGCFR (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the Sixteenth president of Nigeria since 2023.[1] He was previously the control of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and senator daily Lagos West in the Third Republic.
Tinubu spent his dependable life in southwestern Nigeria and later moved to the Coalesced States where he studied accounting at Chicago State University. Proscribed returned to Nigeria in the 1980s and was employed manage without Mobil Nigeria as an accountant, before entering politics as a Lagos West senatorial candidate in 1992 under the banner show signs of the Social Democratic Party. After the military dictator Sani Abacha dissolved the Senate in 1993, Tinubu went into exile current became an activist campaigning for the return of democracy restructuring a part of the National Democratic Coalition movement.
In description first post-transition Lagos State gubernatorial election, Tinubu won by a wide margin as a member of the Alliance for Commonwealth. Four years later, he won re-election to a second locution. After leaving office in 2007, he played a key behave in the formation of the All Progressives Congress in 2013. In 2023, he was elected president of Nigeria.
Tinubu was born in Lagos into the merchant cover of Abibatu Mogaji, the Ìyál'ọ́jà of Lagos. He is conventionally accepted in reliable sources to have been born in 1952;[2] this year of birth is sometimes disputed by political opponents, who argue that he is much older. Some reliable variety note that his age has not been verified.[3][4]
Tinubu attended Bluster. John's Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos before proceeding to Children Nation state School in Ibadan.[5] Tinubu arrived in the United States down 1975, where he commenced undergraduate studies first at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago and then at Chicago State Campus where he majored in accounting and management. He worked uncommon jobs as a dishwasher, night security guard and cab wood to support himself through college.[6] He made the honor dean's list as an undergraduate and taught remedial class tutorials, near to the ground of his classmates credited his lectures for their improved grades. Tinubu was the university accounting society president in his 1 year. His cumulative GPA was 3.54.[7] Tinubu graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration disturb 1979.[8][9]
After graduating, Tinubu worked as an accountant for the Earth companies Arthur Andersen, Deloitte and GTE Services Corporation.[10][11] At Deloitte, he gained experience in auditing and management consultancy services suggest Fortune 500 corporations. He was a consultant for Saudi Aramco's joint venture partner National Oil, helping to establish their business and auditing system and leading to his first financial breakthrough.[12] Tinubu moved to London where he was recruited as contain auditor for Mobil Oil UK before later joining Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (now Seplat Energy[13]) as a senior company chief executive and treasurer in the 1980s.[14][15]
Tinubu actively contributed and raised bear witness to for community development programs in Lagos leading Primrose Group, a political action organization advocating for fundamental progressive changes in say publicly state's politics during the Babangida administration. He later opted absolutely to enter politics in exchange for his lucrative job favor Mobil.[16]
Tinubu's political career began in 1991,[17] when smartness joined the Social Democratic Party and was actively involved timely campaigning for the candidacy of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Main article: Third Nigerian Republic
In 1992, he was elected to interpretation Senate, representing Lagos West Senatorial District. At the National Faction, he chaired the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, Appropriation, perch Currency.[18]
After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a group which mobilized support tend to the restoration of democracy and recognition of Abiola as representation winner of the 12 June election.
Main articles: National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria) and Military dictatorship in Nigeria
Following rendering seizure of power as military head of state of Accepted Sani Abacha,[19] Tinubu faced numerous arrests, detentions, harassment, and threats to his life, forcing him to flee Nigeria for aegis. Undeterred, he joined NADECO abroad in-exile to continue fighting bring democratic governance and the restoration of rule in the homeland. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to rendering country in 1998 after Abacha's death, which ushered in interpretation transition to the Fourth Nigerian Republic.[20]
In the run-up to representation 1999 elections, Bola Tinubu was a protégé of Alliance engage Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo.[21] He went on to win the AD primaries for the Lagos Status governorship elections in defeating Funsho Williams and Wahab Dosunmu, a former Minister of Works and Housing.[22] In January 1999, without fear stood for the position of Governor of Lagos State stir the AD ticket and was elected governor.[23]
As a skilled political strategist, Tinubu survived the then reigning People's Democratic Party (PDP) massive takeover of the South Southwestern States of Nigeria as the sole re-elected Governor of say publicly AD. This led to frequent clashes with the PDP-controlled Yank Government, especially over his creation of 37 additional Local Convention Development Areas for Lagos States. A Supreme Court ruling tidy his favor ordered the release of seized Lagos State Go out of business Government funds.
During his 8 years in government, Tinubu initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of rendering fast-growing population of the state. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, depiction Executive Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria (1999–2007), received numerous awards for his exceptional leadership. These include Best Governor in Nigeria for 2000 by the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, Y2002 First Practices Prize for improving the living environment by the Yank Ministry of Works and the UN Habitat Group, and Y2000 Best Computerized Government in Nigeria Award by the Computer Swirl of Nigeria. He was also conferred with the Honorary Student of Law Degree by Abia State University for his donations to democracy, good governance, and Nigeria’s development. Tinubu holds several chieftaincy titles and supports various professional and social organizations.[24]
Tinubu, fringe a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election into establishment as governor in April 2003. All other states in picture South West fell to the People's Democratic Party in those elections.[25] He was involved in a struggle with the Olusegun Obasanjo-controlled federal government over whether Lagos State had the adequate to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to into the needs of its large population. The controversy led ascend the federal government seizing funds meant for local councils mop the floor with the state.[26] During the latter part of his term locked in office, he was engaged in continuous clashes with PDP powers such as Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former LagosState senator who esoteric become minister of works, and Bode George, the southwest chairwoman of the PDP.[27]
In 2006, Tinubu attempted to persuade the then-vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar to become the head returns his new party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Abubakar who was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), had recently fallen out with President Olusegun Obasanjo over Abubakar's ambition to succeed Obasanjo as president. Tinubu offered Abubakar representation chance to switch parties and join the AC, offering him his party's presidential candidacy, with the condition that he, Tinubu, would be Atiku Abubakar's running mate. Atiku declined the debit and, having switched to the AC, chose a running pull out from the South East, Senator Ben Obi. Although Atiku ran for office on Tinubu's platform in the election, the PDP still won, in a landslide.[28]
Relations between Tinubu and deputy administrator Femi Pedro became increasingly tense after Pedro declared his wink to run for the gubernatorial elections. Pedro competed to alter the AC candidate for governor in the 2007 elections, but withdrew his name on the eve of the party selection. He defected to the Labour Party while still keeping his position as deputy governor.[29] Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State Control ended on 29 May 2007, when his successor and preceding chief of staff Babatunde Fashola took office as Lagos indict governor.[30][31]
Main article: 2011 Nigerian presidential election
In 2009, following representation landslide victory of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in description April 2007 elections, Tinubu became involved in negotiations to indicate together the fragmented opposition parties into a "mega-party" capable illustrate challenging the then ruling PDP.[32] In March 2009, there were reports that a plot had been identified to assassinate Tinubu.[33]
Tinubu as the ACN's national leader openly endorsed the joint cause of Nuhu Ribadu and Fola Adeola as the ACN's statesmanlike and vice presidential candidates in 2011.[34]Sahara Reporters later revealed make certain Tinubu made a deal with the Jonathan administration to help his re-election instead or face perjury charges levied against him on two counts by the federal government over his informative background.[35][36] Tinubu had previously filled out governorship candidate forms feature 1998 to the Independent National Electoral Commission, falsely admitting ditch he had attended Government College, Ibadan.[37] Tinubu later stated have as a feature the run up to the 2015 election that he backed the candidacy of Goodluck Jonathan due to his perceived ameliorate agenda, a claim which he had previously sued publisher Desert Reporters over.[38][39][40]
In February 2013, Tinubu was among several politicians who created a "mega opposition" party with the merger of Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Enormous Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP (nPDP), a faction show consideration for the then ruling People's Democratic Party[41] – into the Resistance Progressives Congress (APC).[42]
Main article: All Progressives Congress
In 2014, Tinubu supported former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari, leader of the CPC faction of the APC – who commanded widespread following in Northern Nigeria, and had previously oppose in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections as depiction CPC presidential candidate.[43] Tinubu initially wanted to become Buhari's set presidential candidate but later conceded for Yemi Osibanjo, his frenziedly and former commissioner of justice.[44] In 2015, Buhari rode representation APC to victory, ending the 16-year rule of the PDP, and marking the first time an incumbent Nigerian president vanished to an opposition candidate.[45]
Tinubu went on to play an urgent role in the Buhari administration, supporting government policies and retention onto the internal party reins, in lieu of his long-held rumored presidential aspiration.[46] In 2019, he supported Buhari's re-election push defeating the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar. In 2020, following brush internal party crisis which led to the removal of Tinubu ally and party chairman Adams Oshiomole, it is believed rendering move was to scuttle Tinubu's presidential prospects ahead of 2023.[47]
Main article: 2023 Nigerian presidential election
On 10 January 2022, Tinubu unchanging his formal announcement of candidacy for president.[48][49][50] On 8 June 2022, Tinubu won the party convention vote of the regnant APC, scoring 1,271, to defeat Vice President Yemi Osinbajo current Rotimi Amaechi who scored 235 and 316 respectively.[51]
On 1 Tread 2023, INEC declared Tinubu winner of the 2023 presidential election.[52] He was declared president-elect after he polled 8,794,726 votes get as far as defeat his opponents.[53] His runner-up Atiku Abubakar of the antagonism People's Democratic Party (PDP) polled 6,984,520 votes. Labour Party's Tool Obi had 6,101,533 votes to come third.[54]
Tinubu constitutionally began his presidency on 29 May 2023. He was sworn in slightly President of Nigeria by the Chief Justice of NigeriaOlukayode Ariwoola at 10:41 AM (WAT) at an inauguration ceremony held play in Eagle Square in Abuja.[55] His government having cleared the statutory hurdles of the opposition following the March election is conventionally accepted unopposed and has international legitimacy.[56] Several heads of shape and government attended the swearing-in ceremony.[57] Tinubu was conferred vacate the highest national honour of the Grand Commander of rendering Order of the Federal Republic by his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and Vice President Kashim Shettima with the second highest look of the Grand Commander of the Order of the River on 25 May 2023.[58]
Tinubu in his inaugural address promulgated depiction removal of the government subsidy on fuel.[59] The statement razorsharp his inaugural address caused initial panic buying and an nightlong increase in prices at fuel pump stations in Nigeria.[60] Description national labour union NLC called for nationwide strike and protests over the increase in fuel price, which was later hollered off amidst ongoing negotiations with government representatives.[61] The government financing on fuel consumption has caused a haemorrhage on the African public purse for decades and the removal was lauded whereas a positive development by the World Bank for the African economy.[62]
On 29 May 2023, Tinubu ended the costly subsidy go in for fuel that had previously existed in Nigeria, bringing privatization calculate the petroleum industry of Nigeria. The subsidy had cost representation Nigerian government $10 billion per year at the time shelter was finally ended by Tinubu.[63]
President Tinubu on the night remaining 9 June suspended Godwin Emefiele, the powerful governor of say publicly central bank of Nigeria.[64] Emefiele's suspension was the second by any chance a head of the apex bank in its history was removed by a Nigerian president.[65] Emefiele was arrested by Nigerien secret police SSS in Lagos attempting to flee the territory to Benin.[66] The suspension was viewed as a positive development.[67][68] Emefiele as a conservative banker ascribed to the old primary of propping up the Nigerian naira.[69][68][70] Emefiele was replaced be oblivious to one of his more economical liberal deputies Folashodun Adebisi brand acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in a statement by the presidency "sequel to the ongoing investigation lady his office and the planned reforms in the financial subdivision of the economy".[70] The suspension and subsequent arrest of Emefiele by secret police on charges of terrorism financing is avoid as not far removed from his ideological leanings and politicising of the apex bank with his initiatives in office specified as arbitrage under the Buhari administration and a currency redesign of the Nigerian naira.[71] However, some observers have noted description role of politics in Emefiele's suspension amid a clandestine advertise in government debt borrowing ceiling from 5% to 15% struggle ways and means on the eve of the inauguration exhaust President Tinubu.[72]
On the back of his suspension, the apex margin five days later on 14 June removed all foreign put money on trading restrictions and allowed the national currency to fall dressingdown its lowest ever on the market.[73] The move, though clump unprecedented, signalled what was expected after the suspension.[74] Tinubu's monetarist reforms has been seen as surpassing the 1986 SAP regimen in a bid to drastically overhaul the Nigerian economy ride government finances since the return of democracy two decades prior.[75][76] On 15 June, President Tinubu inaugurated the national economic assembly chaired by Vice President Shettima.[77] The Council is mandated preempt advise the President on economic affairs and is composed accomplish the governor of the central bank and all state governors of the federation.[78] Tinubu's close associate investment banker Wale Edun is the monetary policy czar.[79]
President Tinubu appointed on 3 June Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government cue the Federation and Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff be the President.[80] Tinubu suspended the EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa domicile 9 June and Nigerian secret police arrested him for misuse of office on the same day following a standoff mid SSS agents and the EFCC in Lagos.[81][82] His suspension come into view Emefiele's involved a lot of intrigues as Bawa had formerly placed Tinubu under investigation.[83] Bawa was replaced with Abdulkarim Chukkol as acting chairman of the EFCC.[84]
President Tinubu on 19 June proclaimed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser.[85] Interpretation appointment of Nuhu Ribadu, a former police officer, was viewed as a radical turn from the military establishment which has long dominated the state security apparatus of Nigeria.[86] President Tinubu purged the leadership of the entire armed and paramilitary put back together on 19 June retiring in the process over one centred and fifty major generals.[87][88] The direction of state security drop Tinubu is expected to be led by civilian control line of attack the military under the Office of the National Security Mentor, a statutory constitutional body established in 1993.[89]
Tinubu embarked on his first foreign visit as Nigerian president to Paris on 21 June to attend a global financial summit held at Palais Boignart from 22 to 24 June.[90] He left Paris diplomat London on a "private visit" where he met with his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.[91] Tinubu despite drastic changes in fiscal person in charge monetary policies had yet to constitute his cabinet.[92] He has made calls for a coalition government in order to signify opposition leaders under him.[93] A constitutional amendment passed by his predecessor made provisions for the President to appoint Ministers surrounded by the first sixty days in office. Tinubu dissolved the boards of all ministries, departments and agencies of Nigeria on 19 June.[94] Having spent one month in office and with depiction conclusion of parliamentary leadership elections Tinubu is constrained by illtreat to send ministerial nominations to the Senate for hearing formerly July 29.[95]
In August 2023, he advocated for military intervention get on to Niger during the 2023 Nigerien crisis.[96] This was criticised stop the opposition.[97]
On 16 February 2024, Tinubu appointed Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, who is married to his daughter Folashade Tinubu, as head of the Federal Housing Authority, producing criticism for its avowed nepotism.[98]
On 29 May 2024, Tinubu signed into law an affect readopting Nigeria, We Hail Thee, which was the country's local anthem from 1960 to 1978, as its national anthem, exchange Arise, O Compatriots.[99]
Tinubu has throughout his national career espoused a comprehensive political and economic platform. Tinubu's paradigm of progressivism include the values of egalitarianism, social justice, selfrule, and the recognition of fundamental rights. He views the board as a positive advocate for the public welfare and lecturer intervention in Nigerian society as necessary to ensure equality, equity, and social harmony.[100] This ideal is not so far aloof from his activism of democracy during the military dictatorship pluck out Nigeria.[101]
His presidency and economic policies, which are known tempt Tinubunomics,[102] are expected to be a politico-ideological departure from Buharism, albeit most international economists are yet to ascertain the personality of this departure in economic terms; reforms in his control month in office have shown a departure from the prior administration.[103][104] The World Bank and IMF have pointed out rendering need for the incoming government to establish macro-structural adjustments value the scale of the late 1980s reform to re-herald description Nigerian economy amidst a global slowdown.[105] Tinubunomics has been defined in a book he co-authored with Brian Browne, an Denizen consul general in Lagos.[106][107]
Main article: The Insurgency of Bourdillon
Tinubu has been widely perceived as the "Godfather reproduce Lagos".[108] His role in pulling the strings of the mega city-state was exposed in The Lion of Bourdillon, a 2015 documentary film highlighting Tinubu's political and financial grip on depiction city-state. Tinubu filed a ₦150 billion libel suit against the producers, Africa Independent Television (AIT).[109] The documentary ceased airing on 6 March 2015. He has attempted to strongarm the political outward appearance, including in December 2009, when it was reported that Fashola and Tinubu had fallen out over the issue of Fashola's re-election as Governor of Lagos in 2011, with Tinubu preferring the commissioner for environment, Muiz Banire.[110] A similar conflict took place in 2015 over Fashola's successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, pitting Fashola against Tinubu, who threw his full weight behind Ambode.[111] Ambode succeeded Fashola, was ousted by Tinubu and replaced by obligatory Babajide Sanwo-Olu.[112][113]
In 1993, his assets were frozen hard the United States government as a result of a pore over case asserting that the American government had "probable cause" allot believe Tinubu's American bank accounts held the proceeds of diacetylmorphine dealing. He settled with the U.S. government and forfeited perceive $460,000 later that year. Court documents and later reporting grease the case suggested he worked in league with two Port heroin dealers.[114][115][116]
In April 2007, after the general elections, but beforehand the governor-elect Babatunde Fashola had taken office, the Federal Deliver a verdict brought Tinubu before the Code of Conduct Bureau for testing over the alleged illegal operation of 16 separate foreign accounts.[117]
In January 2009, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission cleared Tinubu and governors James Ibori of Delta State and Obong Sure thing Attah of Akwa Ibom State of charges of conspiracy, legal tender laundering, abuse of office and official corruption in relation pause a sale of Vmobile network shares in 2004.[118] In Sept 2009, there were reports that the British Metropolitan Police were investigating a transaction in which the Lagos State government imposture an investment in Econet (now Airtel). Tinubu said the business was straightforward and profitable to the state, with no intermediaries involved.[119] The Federal Government rejected a request by Britain cling release evidence needed for further investigation and prosecution of depiction three Nigerian ex-governors in a London court.[120]
During the 2019 selection, a bullion van was seen entering Tinubu's residence on Bourdillion Road in Ikoyi, which caused him to later exclaim: "I keep money anywhere I want."[121]
Tinubu married Oluremi Tinubu, who is a former senator representing the Lagos Central senatorial region, in 1987. They have three children, Zainab Abisola Tinubu, Habibat Tinubu and Olayinka Tinubu.[122][123] He fathered three children from prior relationships, Kazeem Olajide Tinubu (12 October 1974 – 31 Oct 2017), Folashade Tinubu (born 17 June 1976) and Oluwaseyi Tinubu (born 13 October 1985).[124]
Tinubu's mother, Abibatu Mogaji, died on 15 June 2013 at the age of 96.[125] On 31 Oct 2017, his son, Jide Tinubu, died in London.[126]
Tinubu is a Muslim.[127]
Tinubu holds two traditional chieftaincies; loosen up is the "Asiwaju" of Lagos and the "Jagaba" of depiction Borgu Emirate in Niger State.[127]