Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Bola Ahmed Tinubu (born March 29, 1952) is a Nigerian politician who currently serves as the President of Nigeria. He is widely recognized as a highly influential figure in Nigerian democratic history, often referred to as the "National Leader" of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to his presidency. His career spans decades, marked by his roles as a pro-democracy activist, Senator, Governor of Lagos State, and a key architect of modern opposition politics in Nigeria. Early Life and Education Tinubu was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He received his early education in Nigeria before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he studied at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago before transferring to Chicago State University, where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Following his education, he worked for several American companies, including Arthur Andersen, Deloitte and Touche, and GTE Communications, specializing in auditing and consulting. Career Progression Tinubu returned to Nigeria in the early 1990s and began his political career. He was first elected to the Nigerian Senate, representing Lagos West constituency, in 1992. His tenure in the Senate was cut short by the military dissolution of government in 1993. Following this, he became a prominent activist with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a group that campaigned for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. His activism led him into exile, where he continued to campaign against military rule. Governorship of Lagos State (1999–2007) With the return to democracy in 1999, Tinubu was elected Governor of Lagos State, serving two consecutive four-year terms until 2007. His tenure as governor is often highlighted for his administrative restructuring, fiscal reforms, and introduction of modern urban planning initiatives. Under his leadership, Lagos State significantly increased its internally generated revenue (IGR), transforming it into a financially autonomous and economically viable sub-national entity. These reforms laid the foundation for Lagos’s massive infrastructure and economic growth over the following decades. Major Achievements and Political Leadership After leaving office, Tinubu dedicated himself to consolidating and expanding opposition politics in Nigeria. He was instrumental in the formation of the Action Congress (AC), which later became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and finally served as a key founding father in the merger that created the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. The formation of the APC successfully unified Nigeria’s opposition and led to the first democratic transition of power from an incumbent party to an opposition party in 2015. His strategic political influence has earned him the moniker "Jagaban." Current Status In 2022, Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully contested for the highest office in Nigeria. He was inaugurated as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023. As President, he faces the mandate of addressing major national challenges, including economic reform, security, and infrastructural development.