Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has poured out his heart in a rare and deeply personal tribute to his wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of her 66th birthday, describing her as his "truest friend and confidante" and declaring that if life gave him another chance, he would choose the same path that led him to her. The birthday message, personally signed by the President and shared on his verified X handle on Sunday, September 20, 2026, and Monday, September 21, 2026, offered Nigerians a glimpse into a marriage that has endured decades of personal challenges and public scrutiny.
Tinubu invoked Yoruba wisdom and scripture to frame his tribute. "Today, I celebrate the woman who has walked beside me with patience, grace and uncommon courage," he wrote. "Àwọn àgbà sọ pé, 'Ìyàwó rere ni adé ọkọ rẹ̀.' A good wife is her husband's crown." He added that the Book of Proverbs, which she knows "far better than I do," speaks eloquently of the worth of a virtuous woman. The President's words were not the perfunctory platitudes of political messaging. They were the reflections of a man who had walked a long and difficult road with his partner and had come to understand the true value of the woman beside him.
"I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it," Tinubu said. "After a demanding day, you wait until we are alone before telling me what I need to hear. I have always cherished you for that honesty." He acknowledged that his wife had shared burdens that were rightfully his. "The burdens that were mine to bear often found their way onto your shoulders. The thoughts I could not put into words somehow found their way to you. In difficult times, when the future was uncertain, you stayed calm beside me and prayed with me."
The President also reflected on the sacrifices that no one else saw. "A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner. We have travelled a long road together. I think of the difficult decisions we talked through for hours and the sacrifices no one else saw. Laughter and prayer carried us through many of them." He credited his wife with shaping their family. "Our home bears the lasting imprint of your devotion. Our children and grandchildren have grown beneath the shelter of your prayers. They carry your values of faith and kindness wherever life takes them."
Beyond the personal, Tinubu paid tribute to the First Lady's public service and humanitarian work. "Nigerians know you for your compassion, kindness, generosity of spirit and steadfast faith. I have watched you touch lives quietly and consistently, offering hope and support to those in need." He traced her philanthropic journey from Lagos to the national stage. "From the New Era Foundation during our years in the saddle in Lagos to the Renewed Hope Initiative today, your care has reached many young boys and girls, widows, elderly citizens, and women farmers across the country." He singled out her advocacy for people affected by tuberculosis, describing her as "a compassionate advocate and a determined champion." He noted that her compassion transcended ethnic, regional and religious boundaries. "For you, compassion has never recognised the boundaries of tribe, region or religion. I know the prayers you offer for people whose names you may never know. I also know many whom you have helped without ever meeting them."
The President's tribute was not limited to his wife's public work. It was also a statement of enduring love and commitment. "If life returned me to the beginning, I would choose the same road that led me to you. Through every mile, my heart has always remained at home with you," he wrote. He prayed for her continued health and happiness. "Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi. I pray that God Almighty will grant you many more years in good health and joy. May the years ahead bring you the same comfort and happiness you have so freely given to me and many others."
Oluremi Tinubu's journey is a testament to the quiet power of persistence and service. Born in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, she earned a Bachelor of Education in Biology from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and a Master's degree in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos. She worked as a teacher and later as a banker at First Bank of Nigeria and Chartered Bank before her foray into public service. She was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, served as First Lady of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and was elected Senator for Lagos Central in 2011, serving three consecutive terms until 2023. Through her New Era Foundation, established during her time as Lagos First Lady, she championed programmes for orphans, youth development, and women's empowerment. As First Lady of Nigeria, she has continued this work through the Renewed Hope Initiative, focusing on agriculture, women's economic empowerment, health, and education.
For a President whose public persona is often defined by the rigours of political combat, the birthday tribute offers a rare window into the man behind the office. It is a reminder that behind every leader is a partner who shares the burdens, offers the unvarnished truth, and prays in the quiet moments when the future is uncertain. It is also a reminder that the First Lady's legacy is not one of quiet ceremony but of quiet impact, a woman who has spent decades touching lives and offering hope to those in need. As Nigerians read the President's words, many will recognise the sentiment. It is the gratitude of a man who knows that he struck gold and is not afraid to say so. For Oluremi Tinubu, the 66th birthday tribute is not just a celebration of her life. It is a public acknowledgment of a life lived in service, faith, and love.
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