Before venturing into politics, he had a stint as a subject teacher having earned a degree in education, he also obtained masters degree in chemistry in 1994 and doctorate degree in chemistry in 2009 both from The University of Dar es Salaam.
His commitment to improving the lives of his people is both commendable and exemplary, one which many African leaders at various levels can learn a thing or two from.
After taking office Tanzanian President, John Magufuli immediately began to impose measures to curb government spending, by reducing his own salary from US$15,000 to US$4,000 per-month, placing a ban on unnecessary foreign travel by government officials, using cheaper vehicles and board rooms for transport and meetings respectively, reducing the delegation for a tour of the Commonwealth from 50 people to 4, dropping its sponsorship of World AIDS Day exhibition in favour of purchasing AIDS medication, and discouraging lavish events and parties by public institutions (such as cutting the budget of a state dinner inaugurating the new parliament session).
Most notably, Magufuli also suspended the country';s Independence Day festivities for 2015, in favour of a national cleanup campaign to help reduce the spread of cholera. Magufuli unlike most leaders, personally participated in the cleanup efforts, having stated that it was "so shameful that we are spending huge amounts of money to celebrate 54 years of independence when our people are dying of cholera". The cost savings were to be invested towards improving hospitals and sanitation in the country.
Magufuli announced his cabinet about a month into his tenure, reducing its size from 30 ministries to 19 to help reduce costs.
He paid an unscheduled visit to a federal hospital and made sure to visit all the wards, including those kept from high profile visitors like himself. After discovering the sorry state, he fired the director, the hospital board and ordered that the equipment that weren’t working to be repaired within two weeks, otherwise he would fire even the newly appointed director. The repair was completed within three days.
During his electioneering campaigns, free education was part of his campaign promises. He proved that indeed he is a man of integrity by making education free for children whose parents couldn’t afford it. He also directed relevant authorities to sort and resolve the problems stopping the release of education loans.
On 12 April 2016, Magufuli embarked on his first foreign visit to Rwanda, where he met the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and inaugurated the new bridge and one-stop border post and Rusumo. Magufuli also attended the memorial of 22nd anniversary of the Rwandan genocide.
In January 2018, Magufuli issued a directive ordering the suspension of registration for foreign merchant ships, following recent incidents surrounding the seizure of overseas shipments of illegal goods (particularly drugs and weapons) being transported under the flag.
When going to officially open parliament Magufuli didn’t go by plane, he drove all the way. He has reduced the size of the presidential convoy, as well as the size of presidential delegation that travels with him.
