Tinubu: Nigeria Met Non-Oil Revenue Target Early, Unfazed by U.S. Tariffs
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared that his administration remains resilient and unshaken by U.S. President Donald Trump’s new trade policies, including tariffs targeting Nigerian exports.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving a delegation of The Buhari Organisation led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Tinubu said Nigeria’s growing non-oil revenues provide a buffer against external shocks.
“If non-oil revenue is growing, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,” the President said, noting that Nigeria had already met its 2025 revenue target by August and that the naira had stabilised at around ₦1,450 to the dollar, up from ₦1,900 when he assumed office in May 2023.
Trump, in his second term, has rolled out sweeping trade measures under the “America First” agenda, including a 10 per cent baseline tariff on nearly all imports and additional country-specific levies of up to 50 per cent. Nigerian exports now face a 15 per cent tariff effective August 7, though energy products like oil and gas remain exempt.
Tinubu also cited his government’s agricultural reforms and nationwide mechanisation drive as part of efforts to ensure food security. “If we remove hunger, we have defeated poverty,” he said.
On a lighter note, the President recalled internal clashes with the late Muhammadu Buhari during the 2013 merger talks that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC). “We even argued over a symbol. He insisted on parliament, and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn,” Tinubu recounted to laughter.
The meeting, which also had in attendance Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and former Governor Aminu Masari, is seen as part of efforts to consolidate APC’s northern bloc ahead of the 2027 elections.
North West Agenda for Peace (NOWAP) Lauds President Tinubu for Presence of Minister of State for Defence,CDS to Flush Out Banditry
The North West Agenda for Peace (NOWAP) commends President Bola Tinubu for his proactive measures in addressing the escalating security challenges in the region. The presence of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, in the region attests to the President’s commitment to ridding terrorism and banditry.
We applaud President Tinubu’s directive for the Minister and security chiefs to relocate to the North West, demonstrating his concern for the security situation in the region. This move is a clear indication of the President’s willingness to take bold steps to address the challenges. It is reassuring to note that Mr. President has not forgotten the people of the North West in this time of crisis.
The North-west region has been plagued by terrorism and banditry, with four of the region’s seven states among the top five states with the highest number of kidnap incidents between July 2023 and June 2024. Therefore, the presence of the Defence Minister and security chiefs is a welcome development in the fight against these criminal elements.
We are encouraged by the Minister’s assurance to the troops of the President’s support in crushing bandits across the country. The President’s commitment to providing all necessary resources to the troops is a clear indication of his dedication to ending the security challenges in the region.
We beseech Mr. President to do his best to fish out the sponsors of banditry and other forms of insecurity within the region. This will help to address the root causes of the problem and bring lasting peace to the region.
The presence of the Defence Minister and security chiefs will significantly improve security in the region. Firstly, it will boost the morale of the troops, who will feel supported and motivated to intensify their efforts against the bandits. Secondly, it will enable the security agencies to develop a more effective strategy to tackle the security challenges, with the Minister and security chiefs providing guidance and oversight. Finally, it will demonstrate to the bandits and terrorists that the government is committed to ending their reign of terror, and that they will be brought to justice.
Furthermore, the strategy will also involve the local communities, who will be encouraged to provide intelligence and support to the security agencies. This will help to build trust and confidence between the security agencies and the local communities, and will enable the security agencies to respond more effectively to security threats.
Additionally, the presence of the Defence Minister and security chiefs will also facilitate the deployment of additional resources and equipment to the region, which will enhance the capacity of the security agencies to tackle the security challenges.
We acknowledge the presence of the Armed Forces in the region all these years, but the recent visit has boosted the morale of the troops. The people of the region now feel safer with the troops combing everywhere to get results done.
We applaud the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for his leadership and commitment to ending the security challenges in the North-west. He has proven his dedication to finding solutions to the region’s security problems.
We hail the troops for their bravery and sacrifices in the fight against banditry and terrorism. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we commend them for their unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians.
We urge them to remain focused and undeterred in their efforts to flush out the bandits and terrorists. The recent failed mission should not be a setback, but rather an opportunity to regroup and intensify efforts to bring peace to the region.
We call on all stakeholders, including the local communities, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations, to support and cooperate with the security agencies in their efforts to bring peace and stability to the North-west. This is a collective responsibility, and we must all work together to achieve this goal.
We urge the federal government to provide all necessary support and resources to the security agencies, to enable them to effectively tackle the security challenges in the region. This includes providing additional funding, equipment, and personnel, as well as ensuring that the security agencies have the necessary legal and policy framework to operate effectively.
Signed,
Comrade Abba Gana Abba
President
Usman Abubakar
Secretary General
Tinubu’s Strategy on Food Security, Water Resources Development Commendable – Afenifere Group
…Lauds Kyari, Utsev on outstanding performance
The Reformed Afenifere Youth Group (RAYG) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his exemplary leadership in addressing food security and water resources in the country.
The group also applauded the outstanding performances of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
In a statement signed by its President, Aare Yemi Adenifuja, the Afenifere youths said the Ministers’ stewardship and dedication have led to significant progress in the agricultural and water sectors, boosting the socio-economic growth and prosperity of Nigeria.
“Under Kyari’s visionary leadership, the agricultural sector has witnessed significant growth, with initiatives boosting production and ensuring food security,” he said.
“The successful launch of the 2023-2024 dry-season farming program has empowered thousands of farmers, while the distribution of 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice has enhanced food availability.
“Additionally, the development of 23 improved crop varieties has increased crop yields, and the enhancement of food security and nutrition has improved the overall well-being of Nigerians.
“Furthermore, market access has improved, and employment opportunities have been generated, contributing to the sector’s growth.
“The Agric ministry undertook significant measures to boost agricultural production and control food inflation which he itemised to include; the distribution of improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and equipment to farmers.
“The ministry has also partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to distribute 2.15 million bags of fertiliser free of charge to farmers.
“In rural infrastructure development, the ministry has constructed 77.8km of asphalt roads, including 130.9 km of earthen roads and boreholes, and installed solar street lights which have created nearly 60,000 jobs in rural areas with other initiatives to manage agricultural lands and address climate change including soil analysis, water conservation training, and climate-smart agriculture practices.”
Similarly, Adenifuja said Professor Utsev’s expertise and experience in water resources and environmental engineering have led to groundbreaking initiatives addressing the nation’s complex water challenges.
“His strategic leadership has resulted in significant progress in water infrastructure development, irrigation projects, and water supply expansion, enhancing the nation’s water security,” he added.
“The implementation of innovative technologies and sustainable practices has ensured equal access to clean water and sanitation for all citizens, a critical step towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“The adoption of cutting-edge technology has also boosted the agricultural sector and water resources with the use of precision farming to enhance crop yields and reduce waste.
“The use of advanced technologies like water management software and data analytics has optimized water distribution, reduced leakages, and improved efficiency in the water sector.
“Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power has reduced the carbon footprint of water treatment and pumping stations.”
The group, therefore, said adopting more innovative approaches will further enhance food security and water resources in Nigeria and urged the Federal Government to continue prioritizing these sectors.
“The FG should explore international collaborations to enhance food security and water resources, promote sustainable agriculture practices, develop innovative water management systems, improve access to clean water and sanitation, and support the growth of the agricultural sector,” the statement added.
“We commend President Tinubu, Minister Kyari, and Minister Utsev for their dedication to the socio-economic growth and prosperity of Nigeria.
“Their stewardship has led to significant progress in the agricultural and water sectors, and we look forward to continued success in these critical areas.
“We also appreciate the efforts of farmers, agricultural extension workers, and water resources managers who have worked tirelessly to implement these initiatives.”
JUST IN: Tinubu begins private visit to France Wednesday
President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday depart Abuja for Paris, France, for a private visit.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu travels to France.’
Although the statement did not state the reasons for the visit, Ngelale said, “He will return to the country in the first week of February 2024.”
There is no Evidence Tinubu Forged Certificate – BBC Disinformation Team
There is no evidence that the diploma Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted to the country’s electoral commission was forged, the BBC’s Global Disinformation Team has found.
Allegations that President Tinubu’s certificates were faked went viral on social media following the release by Chicago State University (CSU) of his academic records last week.
We have looked at some of the most widely circulated claims.
The release of the president’s academic documents is the culmination of a judicial case filed in August by one of his main rivals in February’s presidential election, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Abubakar was hoping to have the victor disqualified after accusing him of falsifying the CSU diploma of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration awarded in 1979 that he submitted to the electoral authority (Inec).
To obtain evidence for his case in Nigeria, Mr Abubakar approached a US court in August, requesting it to compel CSU to release Mr Tinubu’s academic records through a process called discovery, where the parties exchange information including documents ahead of a trial.
Mr Tinubu’s lawyers opposed the discovery application, citing privacy concerns, but the US court decided it should proceed.
The documents requested by Mr Abubakar were:
A copy of any diploma issued by CSU in 1979
A copy of the diploma CSU gave to Mr Tinubu in 1979
Copies of diplomas with the same font, seal, signatures, and wording awarded to other students that are similar to what CSU awarded to Mr Tinubu in 1979
Documents from CSU that were certified by Jamar Orr, who was then a staff member of CSU, in the 12 months from 1 August 2022
In response to request one, CSU submitted seven diplomas covering different disciplines with the names of the students redacted. According to the university’s registrar, these diplomas had not been collected by the students.
In response to request two, CSU stated that it could not find the diploma they issued to Mr Tinubu in 1979, because they do not keep copies of diplomas already collected by students.
In response to request three, CSU stated that it produced for Mr Tinubu a replacement diploma dated 27 June 1979. It also released diplomas awarded to other students that bore similar font, seal, signatures and wordings as Mr Tinubu’s diplomas.
In response to request four, CSU submitted other academic documents initially attested to and released by Mr Orr.
In line with the judge’s ruling, Mr Abubakar’s lawyer Angela Liu last week questioned Caleb Westberg, CSU’s current registrar, in a deposition.
The BBC was given access to the deposition transcript by Mr Abubakar’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu.
Some social media users in Nigeria allege that the deposition and the diplomas released by CSU confirm that the diploma submitted to Inec by Mr Tinubu was forged. This claim was also repeated by one of Mr Abubakar’s lawyers, Kalu Kalu, at a press conference last week.
We found there was no evidence to support this claim.
The CSU released several diplomas issued between 1979 and 2003. We analysed all of them.
There are three different diplomas for Mr Tinubu that we refer to throughout our analysis:
The original one, from 1979, which he has said in the past was lost when he went into exile in the 1990s
The second one, that he submitted to Inec – supposedly a replacement diploma from CSU (it is similar to diplomas issued by CSU in the 1990s)
Additionally, CSU holds another replacement diploma for Mr Tinubu that they say is probably from the early 2000s that he never collected
The allegations on social media are based on a comparison between the document Mr Tinubu submitted to Inec and the 1979 diplomas released by CSU.
During Mr Westberg’s deposition, Mr Atiku’s lawyer focused on the copy of the diploma President Tinubu handed to the electoral commission and suggested that it was unlike any of the diplomas released by CSU.
However, while Mr Westberg agreed with Ms Liu that the diploma in question does not look like the samples from 1979, he stated that the certificate actually looks like three of the diplomas CSU released to Mr Abubakar. Our analysis confirms this.
It turns out that the discrepancy in the appearance of the diploma is down to it having been re-issued in the 1990s.
Mr Westberg said the template of CSU’s diploma has changed several times over the years. He said any request for a new diploma would resemble the current template at that time, no matter when the student graduated.
As such, if Mr Tinubu had reordered his diploma in the late 1990s, what he would have been given would look like what was obtainable then.
Three of the diplomas dating from the 1990s that CSU submitted were similar to Mr Tinubu’s.
One of them, which bears the date 18 December 1998, is identical (aside from the names, class of degree, and dates) to the diploma Mr Tinubu handed over to Inec.
Mr Westberg also stated that CSU does not keep notes of when a graduate asks for the reissuing of a diploma and therefore Mr Tinubu’s request for a copy of the diploma was not recorded.
The copy he gave to the election commission had part of the university logo missing, which Mr Westberg said in his deposition was possibly “cut off” when it was photocopied.
We analysed the diploma. It appears in fact that its bottom part was not included during the photocopy process.
The BBC reached out to Mr Tinubu’s team to get a copy of the diploma in question. They sent what they said was the only existing copy of the diploma. It is a black and white photocopy identical to what was submitted to Inec.
Another claim, made by a fact-checking organisation in Nigeria, was that the diploma Mr Tinubu submitted was not from CSU as its diplomas do not include the phrase “with honors” under the degree name.
But the BBC found that while this was not reflected in the other diplomas released by CSU, it does appears in Mr Tinubu’s diploma issued in the early 2000s, which was authenticated by Mr Westberg during his deposition.
It has the words “with honors” – a match with the diploma with the same detail submitted by the president to Inec.
Mr Westberg said that the school could authenticate this particular diploma because it was still in its possession as it was never picked up.
Not every student graduates from university with honours. Mr Tinubu, as attested to by CSU in several court documents seen by the BBC, did graduate from CSU with honours.
The BBC contacted CSU with questions about its diplomas and it referred us to a statement that read in part: “We are confident and always have been in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu’s attendance and completion of graduation requirements”.
Another allegation making the rounds on social media is that the person who attended CSU with the name Bola A Tinubu is female.
Mr Tinubu attended Southwest College (now known as Richard J. Daley College) before transferring to CSU in 1976. In Southwest’s transcript, there is an “F” (for “female”) in the column where gender is indicated, leading to claims that it was a woman who attended the school and Mr Tinubu “stole her identity”. Mr Atiku’s lawyer, Mr Kalu, alluded to this in a press conference last week.
However, in his deposition, Mr Westberg stressed that there was no confusion about the gender of the person who attended CSU as he was a male named Bola A Tinubu. He said the university used other factors other than the name to authenticate the student’s identity.
According to him, the Social Security Number (SSN) in the transcript from Southwest College matches what it has in other documents in which the student’s gender is clearly marked as male.
However, the released documents did raise questions about Mr Tinubu’s birth date and the secondary school he attended.
One of the documents stated that Mr Tinubu attended Government College Lagos in 1970. However, information available on the school website stated that it was only founded in 1974.
Aside from the gender discrepancy, the birth dates in some of the released documents differ from the official birth date of President Tinubu, which is 29 March 1952.
His transcript from CSU has his date of birth as 29 March 1954. His undergraduate admissions application form has his date of birth as 29 March 1955.
Mr Atiku’s lawyer said during Mr Westberg’s deposition that on the forms submitted to Inec, Mr Tinubu had given his date of birth as 29 March 1952.
Mr Westberg, during cross-examination, responded that the discrepancies could have been due to human error.
We contacted Mr Tinubu’s team for comment about these discrepancies and a spokesperson directed us instead to his party – the All Progressives Congress. We then contacted Mr Tinubu’s presidential campaign spokesperson Festus Keyamo, who is also a minister in the government. He did not take our calls or respond to our text and WhatsApp messages.
We also sent questions to Mr Abubakar’s team. They did not respond.
Nigeria’s Problem was Poor Leadership – President Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians in the U.S. to rise above failure by having a change of mindset for success in all their endeavours in life.
Tinubu who gave the advice at the Presidential Townhall Meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora on Wednesday in New York noted that Nigerians had no reason to be poor.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Townhall Meeting was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
Tinubu, who commended the efforts on out-of-school children, the healthcare programme and the need to eradicate poverty, said Nigeria was a blessed country.
“Sincerely, we don’t have any reason to be poor, we are just poor in some leadership areas.
“That is what I harped on during my campaign. It was a very gruesome campaign but I won the election but if I didn’t thrown myself into it with strong determination and result, I wouldn’t have won.
“There were so many hurdles on my way that would have stopped me. I refused to be stopped, you can do the same as many of you here that are contesting elections”, the President said.
Owolewa, who represents Washington DC, said they have been supporting people to take advantage ot such opportunities for their economic empowerment.
“Those are the opportunities to make investors biggest in New York.
“In my office, we do the talk, we teach our people how to get contract, we teach our people how to get grants.’’ he said.
Also speaking, a Nigerian-American, Olufunmilola Obe, an Inspector working in the New York Police Department, briefed the president on her efforts to make Africa, especially Nigeria proud in her office.
She told Tinubu that she was the coordinator of an African Law Enforcement Organisation, an association within the NYPD, as Vice President.
Obe is the first African ever to be promoted to the rank of an Inspector in the history of NYPD.
NAN reports that the Town Hall Meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign of Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Amb.Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Uzoma Emenike; Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija; and Consul General in Atlanta, Amb. Amina Samaila were also in attendance.
Others were: Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom; Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara, among others.
Why PEPT Judgment had our Watermark – Tinubu’s legal team
The Tinubu Presidential Legal Team has responded to the controversy over its watermark on the widely circulated copies of the judgement of the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal.
The watermarked copy had been a subject of controversy especially on social media with critics alleging a sinister move.
Responding to the criticism, TPLT coordinator, Babatunde Ogala, in a statement on Saturday berated the critics for insinuating the watermark was a result of pre-determined manipulations saying there was nothing untoward to it.
He explained that they watermarked their copy of the judgement after collection from the Court of Appeal before circulating the scanned copies to members of their team.
The statement read, “Following some mischievous insinuations being made in certain quarters regarding the innocuous water-mark of copies of the consolidated judgment of the Court of Appeal with the inscription -“Tinubu Presidential Legal Team ‘TPLT’”, it is has become necessary to offer this clarification.
“After the delivery of judgment in the 3 (Three) election petitions by the Court of Appeal on September 6, 2023, the Court directed its registry to make physical copies of same available on September 7, 2023.
“Accordingly, the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team applied for a Certified True Copy of the said judgment and paid the prescribed fee.
“Lawyers for PDP were present at the registry at the same time to collect the same judgment.
“In fact, the representative of the PDP collected the first copy that was made available by the registry.
“On collecting our own copy, we immediately scanned and watermarked with the inscription – “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team ‘TPLT’” before circulating the scanned soft copies to the lawyers in our team.
“The Certified True Copy issued to us and other parties in the petitions by the registry does not contain the said inscription and any insinuation to the contrary is untrue.
“Counsel for the petitioners will also appreciate the fact that the insinuations being circulated in some quarters are untrue, unkind, unfair, and unfortunate, as they have the same certified copies of the judgment as we have.”
Video: Tinubu’s Standout Tactics in Lagos + How He will better Nigeria
He needs no introduction, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man whose achievements speaks loud, but for those who are not in the know below is a few reel to show how he did it in Lagos and how he will positively impact Nigerians as president.
Asiwaju Tinubu’s Political Track-record and Achievement My Reason to form a Path in Politics – Seun Olufemi-White (Clifford Chance Trained Lawyer and Investment Adviser)
Many of us grow up with the belief that the political process in Nigeria is designed by and for those with the worst character traits, no scruples, talent or wherewithal to succeed at anything else.
Until now, this negative perception has made me a bit unsure about how to explain my transition to my peers; that, I, mid-twenty, left a promising legal career with a world-leading firm, for a seemingly less prestigious field they see as marred by violence, mal-practice, avarice and unrestrained ambition. So I have been quiet, up until now.
As a young Nigerian lawyer, qualified in Britain and in New York and having trained at one of the world’s most preeminent law firms, Clifford Chance, I have worked on some of the largest finance deals in history. In my time in practice, I advised and invested in impact ventures. In selecting leaders for the venture, we would assess past records of candidates. If there’s a proven track record, the odds are higher that success can be repeated.
Having become an active investor in project ‘a better Nigeria’, I have chosen to align myself with the leader who has the best track record, capacity and doggedness to renew hope in our country. My abiding belief is that through democracy and progressive governance, Nigeria will grow and achieve its best destiny. This is why I have pitched my tent where I have.
It is almost a year into the change in my career path and political orientation, I am now convinced and ready to discuss why I have pitched my tent where I have. In doing so, I hope to encourage more young people, who look like me, wherever they can and with whomever they find the conviction, to pull up a chair and sit at a table with the intention to shape Nigeria for the better. If we do not, we leave our destinies in the hands of others.
June 12, 1993
My record goes back to 1993 when Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (‘MKO’) Abiola won the landmark presidential election on June 12 and the subsequent events that follows, but my point of attention is to how a young senator representing the Lagos West district was bold and unrelenting in the quest for reestablishing democracy. That senator, was Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Investigation revealed how young Tinubu took his elderly mother, Alhaja Mogaji, who had known Babangida for years to plead with the general to affirm the democratic election, when he realized that the emotional appeal failed to persuade the military head of state he turned to another branch of state; the judiciary, to seek the redress of justice. Assembling an outstanding team led by Professor Alfred Kasunmu SAN, he ‘engineered and proposed’ one of the ‘most significant court cases in Nigeria’.
At the trial, the legal team assembled by Tinubu were able to establish the illegality of the military-imposed ING. Proving that the Babangida signed Decree 59 had officially ended his eight-year reign with effect from August 26, 1993. Whereas the Decree 61 that establish ING was signed on August 26 when technically he’s no longer the military president of Nigeria. Though the judgement of the court that restrain the extension of the military rule through the ING was disobeyed, it was the case instituted by the young senator that snowballed into the fight for democracy that would take several years and, unfortunately, claim many lives including that of MKO Abiola.
Tinubu’s role in the formation of the National Democracy Coalition (NADECO), when the military ignored the courts and continued their hold onto power is also very important. In response to the decision of the military to hold on to power, on May 1994 a group of veteran politicians and pro-democracy groups, under the leadership of Pa Ajasin, formed the NADECO. Tinubu was also one of the founding member of NADECO and its backbone for financial support.
It was during this struggle when the leadership of NADECO gave the military government a deadline by which to resign that Tinubu’s popular quotes of ‘the lovers of democracy in the country will…make this country ungovernable’ was made when he was asked what would happen if the dictatorship refused to obey the step down deadline of NADECO. This was the reason he had to go into exile since he was seen as threat to their continued stay in power, and his name was subsequently burnt and dragnet set to arrest him. While in exile, he continued to support NADECO and Abiola’s judicial trial. Lawyers like Alao Aka-Bashorun, Femi Falana and Ajibola Olanipekun all worked closely with him.
After more than four years of fierce advocacy outside the shore of the country Tinubu, the former Mobil executive was elected governor of Lagos State as the AD candidate after the sudden death of Abacha and the subsequent death of MKO Abiola. His journey into executive role in politics was also bedeviled by the interest of many party leaders who had been active in politics in previous periods of civilian rule. Tinubu had to grapple with serious internal and external political threats during his first term. He drew the anger of influential AD party elders early on by appointing political outsiders to ministerial positions. In interviews, some of the former governor’s critics said he installed his clique. Most interviewers however, emphasized the high caliber of top Tinubu appointees.
It was his competency as a consummate professional adept at building excellent teams that attracted new people, people like me, then, to public service in Lagos state. It was therefore not surprising when he decided not to follow the order of the leaders of AD who want all governors under their party to give President Obasanjo their platform to campaign, this was rejected by Tinubu and the result apart from him being the last man standing as other governors of AD were defeated at the polls, this also largely responsible for the numerous clash Lagos State had with Obasanjo led Federal Government.
In 1994, Robert Kaplan wrote that Lagos’s “crime, pollution, and overcrowding makes it the cliché par excellence of Third World urban dysfunction.”
This was the kind of Lagos Tinubu was appointed to govern and he immediately hit the ground running overhauling the old tax system by increasing compliance, he also ensured government accountability on expenditure, building roads, improving security, and the revenues shot up from $190 million in 1999 to over $1 billion, in an unprecedented move, Tinubu’s government began the payment of WAEC fees for all final year students in Lagos public schools irrespective of the state of origin; this singular act prompted mass migration to Lagos from all regions, of the country.
His mida’s touch and the blueprint he designed for the development of Lagos attracted a different type of international attention, not for the disorder but instead as a possible model of effective governance—in Nigeria and in Africa.
Jagaban of Borgu, Asiwaju of Nigeria
One thing that made Tinubu exemplary is his decision to take excellence above everything else a situation that that sees Lagos becoming the template of what Nigerian unity truly could be; cabinet members from various regions of the country – chosen for excellence, and long-term development planning, focused on bringing jobs, opportunity and a fair chance to people previously disregarded.
The unity his appointment brings makes it easy for his party to easily merge with others to form the All Progressive Congress that eventually end the political dominance of the PDP in the country, Tinubu’s openness and his philanthropy giving is what has prompted the loyal following he has.
Many in my generation reading this, would not have known that among those vying for the presidency, he alone has a consistent track record of personal sacrifice for our democracy, adept governance and progressive reform, in spite of deep difficulty. In reading this, whether you like the man or not, I hope you understand he is not the enemy and at the very least you now have facts, not opinions or emotions to form your conclusions.
I now serve as the youngest aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also serve as the youngest (female) executive in his Presidential Campaign Council. In my service, I hope to draw more attention to the multi-dimensionality of human ability and excellence. I continue to devote myself to becoming a polymath per excellence, pioneering a unique path. I remain dedicated to creating impact and amplifying the voice of young people, particularly the heretofore.
