Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74: Happy Birthday Asiwaju Tinubu

1991 was a defining year for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He had a very good job and a bright career ahead of him, but he was restless and wanted much more out of life.

He had a heart-to-heart conversation with one of his bosses, who warned him about the dangers of politics and advised a professional like him to stay clear of it. As the treasurer of Mobil, he was no pushover in the corporate world.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Entry Into Politics and Early Sacrifices

Tinubu, who saw military rule as an aberration and desperately wanted his country to return to democracy, put his hand on the plough without looking back and resigned his plum job.

He contested the Lagos West Senatorial District under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and won with a landslide.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, he used his financial expertise to spearhead radical bills for the betterment of Nigeria.

He was extremely sacrificial, as he gave up his ambition to be Senate President because of the presidential ambition of M.K.O. Abiola, since two Yoruba men could not hold both positions at the same time.

NADECO Struggle and Exile

After the annulment, he joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which strongly opposed military rule and fought for the validation of the June 12 election annulled by Ibrahim Babangida.

His house was firebombed, and his life was threatened, forcing him into self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. While in exile, he became a major financier of NADECO and lent his voice to the pro-democracy struggle through Radio Kudirat.

The sudden death of Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, paved the way for his return, along with other activists, to participate in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Rise as Lagos State Governor

Initially, he planned to return to the Senate, but party leaders in the Alliance for Democracy persuaded him to contest for the governorship of Lagos State.

He accepted, despite facing a major challenge from the late Engineer Funsho Williams. However, Tinubu defeated him in the primaries and went on to defeat Chief Dapo Sarumi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general election.

As governor, he transformed Lagos State by modernizing the civil service through the introduction of Oracle software, despite resistance. He also expanded infrastructure, improved sanitation, and made significant investments in education and healthcare, including the construction of primary healthcare centres.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Political Resilience

In 2003, he stood as the last opposition governor in the South-West after the PDP swept five states. He faced off against Olusegun Obasanjo, who withheld local government allocations.

Despite this, Tinubu sustained Lagos through prudent financial management and strategic reforms.

He later handed over to Babatunde Raji Fashola, who had served as his Chief of Staff.

In another act of sacrifice, he stepped aside from contesting for the Senate and instead supported Ganiyu Olanrenwaju Solomon, recognizing the need to maintain political stability in Lagos.

Role in National Politics and APC Formation

Tinubu played a key role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was instrumental in the historic defeat of a sitting president, Goodluck Jonathan, in 2015.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency and Policy Decisions

In 2023, against all odds, he contested for the presidency and won, despite strong opposition from Rotimi Amaechi and Yemi Osinbajo during the primaries. He went on to defeat Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi in the general election.

One of his first major decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy, announced on his inauguration day. Despite public criticism, the policy was aimed at saving the nation billions of naira for infrastructural development.

He assembled a strong cabinet, bringing together some of the country’s brightest minds to steer governance.

International Engagement and Legacy

Tinubu has also worked to improve Nigeria’s global standing, including a recent state visit to the United Kingdom, where he secured key agreements for the country.