ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu shared a candid account of his early days as an unlicensed taxi driver in the United States, including an incident where a naval officer slapped him for unintentionally overcharging him.
The biography, titled ‘Tinubu: My Life as Gypsy Cab Driver in the US,’ was authored by seasoned journalist Mike Awoyinfa and published on the back page of a national daily on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
President Tinubu detailed how he used to work as a taxi driver in Chicago to sustain himself financially before attending school. He explained that he and a friend got an unregistered used car, commonly referred to as a “Gypsy cab,” to pick up passengers from the airport.
Speaking about his experience, President Tinubu said, “We did that for a while to raise some money. I was supposed to have started schooling in April. I deferred it till September to have more money. Immediately I got to Chicago, I went straight to Richard Daley College.”
He also talked about doing various menial jobs to pay for his apartment and tuition fees at Chicago State University, including working as a door guard and security personnel.
Regarding the incident with the naval officer, President Tinubu said, “As a cab driver, one experience I will never forget was when I overcharged a naval officer who was returning to the country. It was not intentional. Apparently, I didn’t know the direction. There was no GPRS in those days to locate directions. So, he gave me the direction to his house in a Virginia suburb.”
President Tinubu did not provide further details on how the incident was resolved but shared it as a part of his humble beginnings.
The revelations in the biography serve as a reminder of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of political leaders before they enter public service.
Many have applauded President Tinubu for opening up about his past, stating that it makes him more relatable to the common man and portrays a message of resilience and determination.
