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 guide of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and senator pursue Lagos West in the Tertiary Republic.
Tinubu spent his trusty life in southwestern Nigeria cope with later moved to the Pooled States where he studied give a reason for at Chicago State University. Forbidden returned to Nigeria in goodness 1980s and was employed overtake Mobil Nigeria as an clerk, before entering politics as clean Lagos West senatorial candidate fluky 1992 under the banner type the Social Democratic Party.
Make sure of the military dictator Sani Abacha dissolved the Senate in 1993, Tinubu went into exile move became an activist campaigning stingy the return of democracy likewise a part of the Official Democratic Coalition movement.
In excellence first post-transition Lagos State regulatory election, Tinubu won by uncluttered wide margin as a colleague of the Alliance for Self-rule.
Four years later, he won re-election to a second designation. After leaving office in 2007, he played a key lap in the formation of righteousness All Progressives Congress in 2013. In 2023, he was pick president of Nigeria.
Tinubu was born cut Lagos into the merchant consanguinity of Abibatu Mogaji, the Ìyál'ọ́jà of Lagos.
He is conventionally accepted in reliable sources comprise have been born in 1952;[2] this year of birth abridge sometimes disputed by political opponents, who argue that he review much older. Some reliable profusion note that his age has not been verified.[3][4]
Tinubu attended Video. John's Primary School, Aroloya, Port before proceeding to Children Impress School in Ibadan.[5] Tinubu attained in the United States leisure pursuit 1975, where he commenced woman of letters studies first at Richard Particularize.
Daley College in Chicago present-day then at Chicago State Hospital where he majored in appropriately and management. He worked unexpected jobs as a dishwasher, dim security guard and cab utility to support himself through college.[6] He made the honor dean's list as an undergraduate cranium taught remedial class tutorials, hateful of his classmates credited jurisdiction lectures for their improved grades.
Tinubu was the university consistent with society president in his known year. His cumulative GPA was 3.54.[7] Tinubu graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor albatross Science in Business Administration twist 1979.[8][9]
After graduating, Tinubu worked significance an accountant for the Inhabitant companies Arthur Andersen, Deloitte ray GTE Services Corporation.[10][11] At Deloitte, he gained experience in auditing and management consultancy services funding Fortune 500 corporations.
He was a consultant for Saudi Aramco's joint venture partner National Notice, helping to establish their enumeration and auditing system and convincing to his first financial breakthrough.[12] Tinubu moved to London hoop he was recruited as distinction auditor for Mobil Oil UK before later joining Mobil Movie Nigeria Unlimited (now Seplat Energy[13]) as a senior company office and treasurer in the 1980s.[14][15]
Tinubu actively contributed and raised way for community development programs reveal Lagos leading Primrose Group, spruce political action organization advocating dole out fundamental progressive changes in probity state's politics during the Babangida administration.
He later opted with care to enter politics in return for his lucrative job critical remark Mobil.[16]
Tinubu's political life began in 1991,[17] when purify joined the Social Democratic Testing and was actively involved presume campaigning for the candidacy magnetize Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Main article: Third Nigerian Republic
In 1992, he was elected to glory Senate, representing Lagos West Senatorial District. At the National Faction, he chaired the Senate 1 on Banking, Finance, Appropriation, playing field Currency.[18]
After the results of righteousness 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became out founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), dialect trig group which mobilized support aim for the restoration of democracy highest recognition of Abiola as rank winner of the 12 June election.
Main articles: National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria) good turn Military dictatorship in Nigeria
Following greatness seizure of power as militaristic head of state of Community Sani Abacha,[19] Tinubu faced copious arrests, detentions, harassment, and threats to his life, forcing him to flee Nigeria for perpetuation.
Undeterred, he joined NADECO out-of-the-way in-exile to continue fighting cart democratic governance and the resurrection of rule in the territory. He went into exile resolve 1994 and returned to goodness country in 1998 after Abacha's death, which ushered in leadership transition to the Fourth African Republic.[20]
In the run-up to significance 1999 elections, Bola Tinubu was a protégé of Alliance stingy Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo.[21] He went on to win the Be in first place primaries for the Lagos Board governorship elections in defeating Funsho Williams and Wahab Dosunmu, exceptional former Minister of Works very last Housing.[22] In January 1999, flair stood for the position mimic Governor of Lagos State construction the AD ticket and was elected governor.[23]
As a skilled political manipulator, Tinubu survived the then order People's Democratic Party (PDP) oversized takeover of the South Imagination States of Nigeria as rendering sole re-elected Governor of picture AD.
This led to universal clashes with the PDP-controlled Combined Government, especially over his thing of 37 additional Local Parliament Development Areas for Lagos States. A Supreme Court ruling cut his favor ordered the set of seized Lagos State Community Government funds.
During his 8 years in government, Tinubu initiated new road construction, required fit in meet the needs of class fast-growing population of the refurbish.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, greatness Executive Governor of Lagos Situation, Nigeria (1999–2007), received numerous commendation for his exceptional leadership. These include Best Governor in Nigeria for 2000 by the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, Y2002 Outrun Practices Prize for improving glory living environment by the Accessory Ministry of Works and integrity UN Habitat Group, and Y2000 Best Computerized Government in Nigeria Award by the Computer Company of Nigeria.
He was likewise conferred with the Honorary Healer of Law Degree by Abia State University for his endowment to democracy, good governance, refuse Nigeria’s development. Tinubu holds copious chieftaincy titles and supports a variety of professional and social organizations.[24]
Tinubu, side by side akin a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election into bring into being as governor in April 2003.
All other states in prestige South West fell to prestige People's Democratic Party in those elections.[25] He was involved valve a struggle with the Olusegun Obasanjo-controlled federal government over not Lagos State had the put back into working order to create new Local Consistory Development Areas (LCDAs) to concentrated the needs of its supple population.
The controversy led come within reach of the federal government seizing ackers meant for local councils drag the state.[26] During the clank part of his term serve office, he was engaged take back continuous clashes with PDP reason such as Adeseye Ogunlewe, clean up former LagosState senator who abstruse become minister of works, skull Bode George, the southwest lead of the PDP.[27]
In 2006, Tinubu attempted to persuade the then-vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar to become the head unknot his new party, the Charisma Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Abubakar who was a member misplace the People's Democratic Party (PDP), had recently fallen out meet President Olusegun Obasanjo over Abubakar's ambition to succeed Obasanjo kind president. Tinubu offered Abubakar goodness chance to switch parties promote join the AC, offering him his party's presidential candidacy, investigate the condition that he, Tinubu, would be Atiku Abubakar's physically possible mate.
Atiku declined the insinuation and, having switched to excellence AC, chose a running fellow from the South East, Mp Ben Obi. Although Atiku ran for office on Tinubu's rostrum in the election, the PDP still won, in a landslide.[28]
Relations between Tinubu and deputy controller Femi Pedro became increasingly nervous after Pedro declared his use to run for the master elections.
Pedro competed to suit the AC candidate for commander in the 2007 elections, nevertheless withdrew his name on authority eve of the party choice. He defected to the Job Party while still keeping reward position as deputy governor.[29] Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State Controller ended on 29 May 2007, when his successor and track down chief of staff Babatunde Fashola took office as Lagos position governor.[30][31]
Main article: 2011 African presidential election
In 2009, following blue blood the gentry landslide victory of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in authority April 2007 elections, Tinubu became involved in negotiations to get together the fragmented opposition parties into a "mega-party" capable assiduousness challenging the then ruling PDP.[32] In March 2009, there were reports that a plot challenging been identified to assassinate Tinubu.[33]
Tinubu as the ACN's national king openly endorsed the joint candidature of Nuhu Ribadu and Fola Adeola as the ACN's statesmanlike and vice presidential candidates strengthen 2011.[34]Sahara Reporters later revealed guarantee Tinubu made a deal have a crush on the Jonathan administration to argumentation his re-election instead or minor perjury charges levied against him on two counts by position federal government over his cautionary background.[35][36] Tinubu had previously comprehensive out governorship candidate forms take delivery of 1998 to the Independent State-owned Electoral Commission, falsely admitting digress he had attended Government Academy, Ibadan.[37] Tinubu later stated critical the run up to position 2015 election that he based the candidacy of Goodluck Jonathan due to his perceived modify agenda, a claim which why not?
had previously sued publisher Desert Reporters over.[38][39][40]
In February 2013, Tinubu was among several politicians who created a "mega opposition" jamboree with the merger of Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Continuing Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a branch of the All Progressives Extravagant Alliance (APGA) and the novel PDP (nPDP), a faction pencil in the then ruling People's Egalitarian Party[41] – into the Imprison Progressives Congress (APC).[42]
Main article: All Progressives Congress
In 2014, Tinubu supported former military sense of state General Muhammadu Buhari, leader of the CPC pinion arm of the APC – who commanded widespread following in Polar Nigeria, and had previously in the 2003, 2007 see 2011 presidential elections as influence CPC presidential candidate.[43] Tinubu firstly wanted to become Buhari's pro presidential candidate but later confessed for Yemi Osibanjo, his compile and former commissioner of justice.[44] In 2015, Buhari rode honesty APC to victory, ending grandeur 16-year rule of the PDP, and marking the first period an incumbent Nigerian president misplaced to an opposition candidate.[45]
Tinubu went on to play an necessary role in the Buhari authority, supporting government policies and occupation onto the internal party handcuffs, in lieu of his long-held rumored presidential aspiration.[46] In 2019, he supported Buhari's re-election action defeating the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar.
In 2020, following stupendous internal party crisis which cluttered to the removal of Tinubu ally and party chairman President Oshiomole, it is believed interpretation move was to scuttle Tinubu's presidential prospects ahead of 2023.[47]
Main article: 2023 Nigerian presidential election
On 10 January 2022, Tinubu finished his formal announcement of campaign for president.[48][49][50] On 8 June 2022, Tinubu won the outfit convention vote of the determination APC, scoring 1,271, to concede Vice President Yemi Osinbajo boss Rotimi Amaechi who scored 235 and 316 respectively.[51]
On 1 Stride 2023, INEC declared Tinubu protect of the 2023 presidential election.[52] He was declared president-elect name he polled 8,794,726 votes end defeat his opponents.[53] His runner-up Atiku Abubakar of the contrast People's Democratic Party (PDP) polled 6,984,520 votes.
Labour Party's Shaft Obi had 6,101,533 votes expect come third.[54]
Tinubu constitutionally began her majesty presidency on 29 May 2023. He was sworn in tempt President of Nigeria by interpretation Chief Justice of NigeriaOlukayode Ariwoola at 10:41 AM (WAT) shell an inauguration ceremony held just right Eagle Square in Abuja.[55] Enthrone government having cleared the permitted hurdles of the opposition later the March election is usually accepted unopposed and has supranational legitimacy.[56] Several heads of conditions and government attended the base ceremony.[57] Tinubu was conferred grow smaller the highest national honour healthy the Grand Commander of authority Order of the Federal Democracy by his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and Vice President Kashim Shettima with the second highest discredit of the Grand Commander sun-up the Order of the River on 25 May 2023.[58]
Tinubu explain his inaugural address promulgated significance removal of the government help on fuel.[59] The statement cranium his inaugural address caused beginning panic buying and an brilliant increase in prices at combustible pump stations in Nigeria.[60] Glory national labour union NLC entitled for nationwide strike and protests over the increase in encouragement price, which was later commanded off amidst ongoing negotiations hear government representatives.[61] The government funding on fuel consumption has caused a haemorrhage on the Nigerien public purse for decades gift the removal was lauded slightly a positive development by nobleness World Bank for the Nigerien economy.[62]
On 29 May 2023, Tinubu ended the costly subsidy clone fuel that had previously existed in Nigeria, bringing privatization disturb the petroleum industry of Nigeria.
The subsidy had cost representation Nigerian government $10 billion base year at the time show somebody the door was finally ended by Tinubu.[63]
President Tinubu on the night execute 9 June suspended Godwin Emefiele, the powerful governor of decency central bank of Nigeria.[64] Emefiele's suspension was the second on any occasion a head of the vertex bank in its history was removed by a Nigerian president.[65] Emefiele was arrested by Nigerien secret police SSS in City attempting to flee the power to Benin.[66] The suspension was viewed as a positive development.[67][68] Emefiele as a conservative cashier ascribed to the old primary of propping up the Nigerien naira.[69][68][70] Emefiele was replaced brush aside one of his more inexpensive liberal deputies Folashodun Adebisi by reason of acting governor of the Main Bank of Nigeria in shipshape and bristol fashion statement by the presidency "sequel to the ongoing investigation noise his office and the prepared reforms in the financial facet of the economy".[70] The deferment and subsequent arrest of Emefiele by secret police on assessment of terrorism financing is unusual as not far removed take the stones out of his ideological leanings and politicising of the apex bank set about his initiatives in office specified as arbitrage under the Buhari administration and a currency redecorate of the Nigerian naira.[71] Banish, some observers have noted integrity role of politics in Emefiele's suspension amid a clandestine submit in government debt borrowing undercroft depository from 5% to 15% vindicate ways and means on justness eve of the inauguration all but President Tinubu.[72]
On the back resembling his suspension, the apex dance five days later on 14 June removed all foreign move backward trading restrictions and allowed illustriousness national currency to fall be familiar with its lowest ever on integrity market.[73] The move, though call unprecedented, signalled what was appointed after the suspension.[74] Tinubu's monetary reforms has been seen on account of surpassing the 1986 SAP system in a bid to drastically overhaul the Nigerian economy tolerate government finances since the revert of democracy two decades prior.[75][76] On 15 June, President Tinubu inaugurated the national economic congress chaired by Vice President Shettima.[77] The Council is mandated conceal advise the President on cheap affairs and is composed position the governor of the chief bank and all state governors of the federation.[78] Tinubu's fast associate investment banker Wale Edun is the monetary policy czar.[79]
President Tinubu appointed on 3 June Senator George Akume as picture Secretary to the Government distinctive the Federation and Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff assessment the President.[80] Tinubu suspended magnanimity EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa decay 9 June and Nigerian concealed police arrested him for castigation of office on the livery day following a standoff mid SSS agents and the EFCC in Lagos.[81][82] His suspension love Emefiele's involved a lot accord intrigues as Bawa had beforehand placed Tinubu under investigation.[83] Bawa was replaced with Abdulkarim Chukkol as acting chairman of high-mindedness EFCC.[84]
President Tinubu on 19 June proclaimed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu primate the National Security Adviser.[85] Probity appointment of Nuhu Ribadu, boss former police officer, was said as a radical turn get out of the military establishment which has long dominated the state asylum apparatus of Nigeria.[86] President Tinubu purged the leadership of significance entire armed and paramilitary support on 19 June retiring contain the process over one swarm and fifty major generals.[87][88] Grandeur direction of state security secondary to Tinubu is expected to befall led by civilian control assault the military under the Provocation of the National Security Demonstrator, a statutory constitutional body habitual in 1993.[89]
Tinubu embarked on potentate first foreign visit as Nigerien president to Paris on 21 June to attend a never-ending financial summit held at Palais Boignart from 22 to 24 June.[90] He left Paris send for London on a "private visit" where he met with crown predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.[91] Tinubu hatred drastic changes in fiscal point of view monetary policies had yet gain constitute his cabinet.[92] He has made calls for a organisation government in order to bring round opposition leaders under him.[93] Deft constitutional amendment passed by coronet predecessor made provisions for illustriousness President to appoint Ministers advantaged the first sixty days access office.
Tinubu dissolved the beams of all ministries, departments presentday agencies of Nigeria on 19 June.[94] Having spent one moon in office and with high-mindedness conclusion of parliamentary leadership elections Tinubu is constrained by knock about to send ministerial nominations holiday the Senate for hearing earlier July 29.[95]
In August 2023, subside advocated for military intervention befit Niger during the 2023 African crisis.[96] This was criticised tough the opposition.[97]
On 16 February 2024, Tinubu appointed Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, who is married to monarch daughter Folashade Tinubu, as attitude of the Federal Housing Right, producing criticism for its purported nepotism.[98]
On 29 May 2024, Tinubu signed into law an augmentation readopting Nigeria, We Hail Thee, which was the country's public anthem from 1960 to 1978, as its national anthem, substitution Arise, O Compatriots.[99]
Tinubu has throughout his governmental career espoused a comprehensive bureaucratic and economic platform.
Tinubu's standard of progressivism include the tenets of egalitarianism, social justice, selfdetermination, and the recognition of primary rights. He views the tidal wave as a positive advocate correspond to the public welfare and corruption intervention in Nigerian society importation necessary to ensure equality, objectivity, and social harmony.[100] This spirit is not so far distant from his activism of home rule during the military dictatorship embankment Nigeria.[101]
His presidency and cheap policies, which are known owing to Tinubunomics,[102] are expected to print a politico-ideological departure from Buharism, albeit most international economists financial assistance yet to ascertain the font of this departure in monetary terms; reforms in his primary month in office have shown a departure from the sometime administration.[103][104] The World Bank deed IMF have pointed out primacy need for the incoming authority to establish macro-structural adjustments crest the scale of the look out on 1980s reform to re-herald probity Nigerian economy amidst a wide-ranging slowdown.[105] Tinubunomics has been sketch in a book he co-authored with Brian Browne, an Dweller consul general in Lagos.[106][107]
Main article: The Celeb of Bourdillon
Tinubu has been everywhere perceived as the "Godfather operate Lagos".[108] His role in haulage the strings of the elephantine city-state was exposed in The Lion of Bourdillon, a 2015 documentary film highlighting Tinubu's public and financial grip on decency city-state.
Tinubu filed a ₦150 billion libel suit against the producers, Africa Independent Television (AIT).[109] Justness documentary ceased airing on 6 March 2015. He has attempted to strongarm the political context, including in December 2009, like that which it was reported that Fashola and Tinubu had fallen dehydrate over the issue of Fashola's re-election as Governor of Metropolis 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 climax full weight behind Ambode.[111] Ambode succeeded Fashola, was ousted impervious to Tinubu and replaced by man of god Babajide Sanwo-Olu.[112][113]
In 1993, his assets were frozen lump the United States government bit a result of a have a stab case asserting that the English government had "probable cause" cluster believe Tinubu's American bank business held the proceeds of diacetylmorphine dealing.
He settled with rendering U.S. government and forfeited wake up $460,000 later that year. Eyeball documents and later reporting go downwards the case suggested he fake in league with two City heroin dealers.[114][115][116]
In April 2007, afterwards the general elections, but earlier the governor-elect Babatunde Fashola difficult to understand taken office, the Federal Deliver a verdict brought Tinubu before the Rule of Conduct Bureau for trying out over the alleged illegal friends of 16 separate foreign accounts.[117]
In January 2009, the Economic deed Financial Crimes Commission cleared Tinubu and governors James Ibori show signs of Delta State and Obong Subjugator Attah of Akwa Ibom Kingdom of charges of conspiracy, resources laundering, abuse of office add-on official corruption in relation weather a sale of Vmobile course shares in 2004.[118] In Sept 2009, there were reports mosey the British Metropolitan Police were investigating a transaction in which the Lagos State government strenuous an investment in Econet (now Airtel).
Tinubu said the development was straightforward and profitable make something go with a swing the state, with no intermediaries involved.[119] The Federal Government jilted a request by Britain leak release evidence needed for very investigation and prosecution of high-mindedness three Nigerian ex-governors in smashing London court.[120]
During the 2019 preference, a bullion van was abandonment 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 in the interest of the Lagos Central senatorial territory, in 1987.
They have children, Zainab Abisola Tinubu, Habibat Tinubu and Olayinka Tinubu.[122][123] Inaccuracy fathered three children from foregoing 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 sluggishness, Abibatu Mogaji, died on 15 June 2013 at the govern of 96.[125] On 31 Oct 2017, his son, Jide Tinubu, died in London.[126]
Tinubu is boss Muslim.[127]
Tinubu holds two traditional chieftaincies; lighten up is the "Asiwaju" of Metropolis and the "Jagaba" of primacy Borgu Emirate in Niger State.[127]
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