Nigeria’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, marked her 65th birthday on Sunday with tributes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, lawmakers, and political leaders nationwide.
President Tinubu led the tributes with a heartfelt message describing his wife as his “confidant, counsellor, and steady anchor” through decades of political service.
Tinubu praised her sacrifices as invaluable, noting that she has served Nigeria not only from the podium but also from the heart of their home.
The celebration comes on the back of several years of growing national recognition for the first lady.
In 2023 and 2024, her birthdays were similarly marked with encomiums from political leaders, while her role in launching the Renewed Hope Initiative has become a defining feature of her tenure.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, described Mrs Tinubu as “A mother of the nation” whose humanitarian projects cut across ethnic and religious divides.
Abbas Tajudeen’s deputy, Benjamin Kalu, commended the first lady as an inspiration to women, especially for her advocacy of the reserved seats bill aimed at increasing female representation in governance.
In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu lauded her for years of service both as Lagos’ first lady and as a three-term senator, highlighting her compassion and resilience.
APC leaders in Lagos, including Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and Senator Tokunbo Abiru, described her as a rare gift to the nation, pointing to her passion for women’s empowerment, education, and her humility in public service.
Lagos Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, likened her current Renewed Hope Initiative to the New Era Foundation she founded in Lagos two decades ago, praising her consistent dedication to uplifting the vulnerable.
Outside Lagos, tributes also poured in. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State called her “an amazon and a source of inspiration to millions,” praying for her continued health and strength.
In keeping with her tradition of philanthropy, Senator Tinubu marked the occasion quietly by launching the Oluremi at 65 Education Fund, an initiative dedicated to supporting the education of underprivileged children across Nigeria.
Her public service career spans decades, beginning with the New Era Foundation during her time as Lagos’ first lady, continuing with legislative achievements as Lagos Central Senator from 2011 to 2023, and now reaching national impact through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
President Tinubu’s closing words encapsulated the mood of the day: “Today, as your husband, I thank God for your life, health, and unwavering love. As your President, I salute you as the First Lady whose warmth and empathy continue to touch millions of lives across our land.”
