Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Akwa Ibom, Sosongo! Rivers State, una do well well!

What a whirlwind two days! What a reception! What an incredible show of love!

From Uyo to Port Harcourt, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and I were deeply touched by the warmth, energy and enthusiasm of our people.

One thing is certain. South-South no dey carry last!

In Akwa Ibom, I was pleased to see the landmark projects delivered by Governor Umo Eno, including investments in roads, aviation and tourism. The Ibom Deep Sea Port also holds enormous potential for trade, investment and jobs across the region.

In Rivers State, the energy at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was electrifying. I spoke about the progress we have made, the challenges that remain and the opportunities we are working to create for our young people.

As I told our people in Port Harcourt, the 2027 election is about the future of our young people and the country we are building for them.

I thank Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors Umo Eno and Siminalayi Fubara, our party leaders, traditional rulers and the wonderful people of both states for their support and hospitality.

Akwa Ibom, Sosongo! Rivers, una too much!

South-South no dey carry last!

This progress has no reverse gear.

Nigeria, we move!

Thank you Rivers State

What wonderful news to return home to, and what a proud moment for Nigeria!

As First Lady Oluremi @SenRemiTinubu and I returned from engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States this evening, I saw her keenly watching the Flamingos’ World Cup final against Japan. What a joy to see our girls defeat Japan 2–1 and become the first African team to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

Our young girls have conquered the world, made history and brought immense honour to Nigeria and the African continent.

I followed your remarkable journey throughout the tournament in Morocco, and I remember your promise after the semi-final victory to bring the trophy home. Today, you have kept that promise with courage, discipline and unwavering belief in yourselves.

Your triumph goes far beyond football. Millions of young Nigerian girls will look at what you have achieved and know that they, too, can dream big, compete with the best and reach the pinnacle of their chosen fields.

I congratulate every member of this exceptional team, the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and everyone who contributed to this historic achievement.

On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I salute our world champions. You have written a glorious new chapter in our nation’s sporting history.

Nigeria celebrates you. I celebrate you.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

When I first arrived in the United States as a young man, I drove a taxi to earn money for my education. I even had to postpone starting school for several months to save enough.

When I eventually got to Chicago, I worked different jobs to support myself and pay my way through university. I know what it means to worry about tuition, accommodation and how to make ends meet while pursuing an education.

Those experiences have stayed with me.

I know what education made possible in my own life, and I believe every Nigerian child deserves that same opportunity, regardless of where they are born or what their parents can afford.

This is one reason education remains a major priority of our Renewed Hope administration.

Through NELFUND, we have provided over ₦372 billion in student loans for institutional fees and upkeep, helping young Nigerians remain in school and pursue their education.

Our technical and vocational education programme has attracted over 2.8 million applications. We have rehabilitated 38 technical colleges, while students in federal and selected state technical colleges now benefit from free school fees, boarding, textbooks and uniforms.

We have reached a new agreement with ASUU, providing for a 40% increase in academic staff remuneration and measures to improve stability in our universities.

A four-year course must take four years. Our young people deserve to complete their education on time and get on with their lives. Promise made, Promise Kept

In medical education, we are investing ₦110 billion in rehabilitating 24 medical schools. Annual nursing enrolment has increased from 28,000 to 115,000, while medical and dental enrolment has risen from 5,000 to 12,000.

Nigeria needs more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and we must build the capacity to train them here at home.

Over one million children who were previously out of school have been returned to learning. We are investing in teacher development, expanding educational opportunities for girls, and implementing a new national curriculum that restores Nigerian History to our classrooms.

Our children must know where we have come from, understand the country they belong to, and be prepared to take responsibility for its future.

I commend the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa @DrTunjiAlausa, the Minister of State, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad @Suwaiba_Said, and the entire education team @NigEducation for their dedication to this important work.

I am particularly pleased that the team has developed an interactive A–Z of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), bringing together the reforms, programmes, achievements and opportunities across our education system.

I invite every Nigerian to visit edu4pbat.ng and explore the A–Z of NESRI.

If you are a parent, find out what opportunities are available for your children. If you are a student, explore the programmes you can benefit from. If you are a teacher, see what support is available.

And if something is not working as it should in your community, I want to hear about it. Your feedback will help us identify problems and address them.

Our journey from reform to opportunities and shared prosperity must begin with education.

The circumstances of a child’s birth should never determine the limits of their ambition. Our responsibility is to give every Nigerian child a fair chance to fulfil their potential.

We have more work to do, and I am determined to see it through.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President

I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah.

I am deeply grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @KingSalman, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for extending this privilege to us, and for their gracious hospitality and brotherly care.

It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

@spagov
@KSAmofaEN
@NGRPresident