Why A Naval Officer Slapped Me In US – President Tinubu Recounts

In a recently published biography titled ‘Tinubu: My life as a gypsy cab driver in the US’ by seasoned journalist Mike Awoyinfa, President Bola Tinubu opened up about his early days as a taxi driver and shared a memorable incident involving a naval officer.

The biography, featured on the back page of a national daily, delves into Tinubu’s journey from being an unlicensed taxi driver in Chicago to his rise in Nigerian politics. Tinubu revealed that he worked as a taxi driver to sustain himself financially before pursuing his education.

Describing his time as a taxi driver, Tinubu said, “We got an unregistered used car commonly called Gypsy, which we ran as a taxi. We operated at the airport where we picked passengers, and not anywhere else, like the hotel because it was forbidden for unlicensed cab drivers to do so.”

Tinubu shared that he deferred his schooling from April to September in order to accumulate more funds. After arriving in Chicago, he enrolled at Richard Daley College and managed to pay for his apartment and tuition fees at Chicago State University by taking on various menial jobs such as being a door guard and security personnel.

Recounting an unforgettable incident, Tinubu revealed that he unintentionally overcharged a naval officer who was returning to the country. As the officer’s destination was nearby, Tinubu charged him more due to his unfamiliarity with the area and lack of GPS technology in those days. In response, the naval officer promptly slapped Tinubu, emphasizing that he should have known the correct fare for the specified location. The officer then handed over the money after the incident.

President Bola Tinubu’s biography sheds light on his humble beginnings as a taxi driver and offers a glimpse into his perseverance and determination in overcoming challenges. The book serves as an inspiring account of his journey from those early days to becoming a prominent figure in Nigerian politics.