President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday led the nation in celebrating his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as she marked her 65th birthday, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima, state governors, lawmakers, and other prominent Nigerians paying glowing tributes to the First Lady.
In an emotional midnight message, the President described his wife as his confidant, counsellor, and steady anchor through decades of political struggle and public service.
“As you celebrate your 65th birthday today, I honour not only the love of my life, but also a woman whose quiet strength and enduring grace have been my steadying anchor,” Tinubu wrote. He praised her sacrifices during years of political exile and leadership challenges, adding that her steadfast support amounted to national service. “Nigeria owes you more than many will ever know,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Tinubu had announced that she would dedicate her birthday to raising funds for the completion of Nigeria’s long-delayed National Library in Abuja, calling on well-wishers to contribute to an “Oluremi@65 Education Fund.”
Vice-President Shettima, in his tribute, hailed the First Lady as “a symbol of womanhood, strength, and compassion,” describing her as a mother of the nation whose quiet resilience has touched millions. “When the history of this administration is written, her name will be inscribed in gold,” he added.
From the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded Mrs Tinubu as “a pillar of love and strength to her husband, the less privileged, and the nation at large,” while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin praised her as a patriot whose contributions to nation-building span decades—from the New Era Foundation in Lagos to her 12 years in the Senate and her current role through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
State governors also joined in the outpouring of admiration. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed her as “a great ambassador of our dear state,” while Ekiti’s Biodun Oyebanji described her as “a special gift to the nation and a pillar of support to the President.” Kogi Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo called her “an Amazon and a source of inspiration to millions,” Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori highlighted her empowerment programmes as “a beacon of hope for vulnerable citizens,” and Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke—despite political differences—praised her as “an incredible woman of unimaginable importance.”
Other political figures, including APC stalwart Musa Kwankwaso and NIWA Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji, also extolled her virtues of integrity, humility, and service.
Born on September 21, 1960, Oluremi Tinubu rose to national prominence as Lagos State First Lady (1999–2007), where she established the New Era Foundation. She later represented Lagos Central in the Senate for three terms before becoming Nigeria’s First Lady in May 2023.
Over the years, she has championed education, women’s empowerment, and youth development, most recently through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which has launched programmes to support widows, empower farmers, and provide scholarships and food palliatives to vulnerable families.
