Bola Ahmed Tinubu – President of Nigeria
| Stage Name: | Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
| Real Name: | Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 29th March 1952 (73 years) |
| State of Origin: | Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Oluremi Tinubu (Wife) |
| Education: | Richard J. Daley College in Chicago |
| Known for: | Politics |
Early Life
Bola Ahmed Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos, Nigeria. He belongs to the Yoruba tribe and his mother, Abibatu Mogaji, was a famous market leader in Lagos called the Ìyál’ọ́jà.
Tinubu grew up in Lagos and Ibadan. He attended St. John’s Primary School in Aroloya, Lagos, then moved to Children’s Home School in Ibadan for further elementary school studies.
Educational Background
In 1975, Tinubu moved to the United States to continue his education. He first studied at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, then at Chicago State University.
He majored in Accounting and studied hard. He worked odd jobs such as a dishwasher, taxi driver, and security guard to support himself. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, earning top grades (a GPA of 3.54), serving as president of the accounting club, and making the dean’s list.
Career
Early Career in Business
After graduation, Tinubu worked as an accountant for well-known American firms like Arthur Andersen, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, and GTE Services Corporation, gaining experience in auditing and financial consulting. He later returned to Nigeria in the early 1980s and joined Mobil Oil Nigeria (now Seplat Energy) as a senior executive and company treasurer in the oil industry.
Entry into Politics
Tinubu entered politics by becoming senator for Lagos West in 1992, representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, the military ruler Sani Abacha annulled the 1993 elections and dissolved the Senate, forcing Tinubu to leave Nigeria for a time.
When Nigeria returned to democracy, Tinubu ran for Governor of Lagos State under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was elected in January 1999, defeating the PDP candidate. He served two full terms from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.
During his tenure as governor, Tinubu introduced grassroots health programmes like Jigi Bola—a free eye screening and surgery programme for Lagos citizens, starting in 2001.
National Leadership and APC
After governing Lagos, Tinubu played a crucial role in founding the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, by merging several opposition parties. The APC became the ruling party and won the presidency in 2015.
He was elected President of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, becoming the country’s 16th president and receiving the top national award GCFR (Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic).
Personal Life
Bola Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a Senator representing Lagos Central. They have several children, including Seyi, Folashade, and Abibat; their first child, Jide, died in 2017.
His mother, Abibatu Mogaji, passed away but had influenced his business goals and work ethics.
Tinubu is known by the nickname “Jagaban”, which means a powerful leader or “leader of the warriors”—a mark of his influence in Lagos politics.
Social Media Presence
President Tinubu is active on social media, especially Twitter, where he shares updates about his political work and public messages. He has approximately 4.5 million followers on Twitter alone, making him one of the most followed Nigerian leaders online.
A report in May 2025 stated his cabinet ministers collectively have around 17 million followers. Tinubu accounts for about 4.5 million of these followers, while others like his Chief of Staff and key ministers share the rest on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Net Worth
- One estimate in early 2025 places Tinubu’s net worth at around $200–350 million USD (₦114–200 billion).
- Other analysts estimate his wealth at $2.4 billion USD (₦3.5 trillion) based on his real estate, media companies, hospitality, oil investments, and consulting firms.
- A few sources claim net worths of $3–4 billion USD or more.
Sources of Wealth
Real Estate: Tinubu owns high-value properties such as:
- His mansion on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, Lagos
- Large land holdings in Lekki, Ibeju‑Lekki, and Atlantic beachfront areas worth billions of naira.
Media Companies: He controls major outlets like The Nation Newspaper, TVC Television, and Radio Continental, which bring advertising revenue and political reach.
Hospitality: Linked to major hotels in Lagos, such as Oriental Hotel and Renaissance Hotel, generating income from guests and events.
Energy and Oil: He reportedly has stakes in Oando plc, one of Nigeria’s biggest oil companies, adding to his wealth through dividends and equity value.
Consulting Firm: Through Alpha Beta Consulting, Tinubu’s company earned from a contract with Lagos State Government to improve tax collection.
Luxury Assets: He reportedly owns a private Bombardier jet, estimated at $40–60 million, and a fleet of bulletproof luxury vehicles such as Mercedes G-Wagons, all adding to his personal asset base.
