In the story of Nigerian politics and society, some figures stand out not only for their positions but also for the ways they redefine service. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has long occupied such a space. Known to many simply as “Remi,” she has been called politician, pastor, philanthropist, mother, and mentor. Yet beneath those titles runs a clear philosophy: leadership is about service and public life should be anchored in compassion, discipline, and faith.
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, her story feels especially timely. In a country where politics often inspires cynicism, Oluremi Tinubu’s journey offers a reminder that influence can be used not just for power but for the good of society.
From Modest Beginnings to Public Service
Born in 1960, the same year Nigeria gained independence, Oluremi Tinubu’s life has unfolded in tandem with the nation’s own path. A graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), she studied Education and later obtained qualifications in Religious Studies. Her early professional life was in teaching, where she cultivated a belief in nurturing others, a belief that would remain central to her later public work.
Her marriage to Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1987 brought her into the heart of Nigerian politics, though she initially stayed behind the scenes. When her husband became Governor of Lagos State in 1999, Oluremi Tinubu emerged not only as the governor’s swife but as a visible figure in her own right. The Office of the First Lady of Lagos became her platform for championing education, health, and empowerment, long before her election to the Nigerian Senate.
Philosophy of Service
Oluremi Tinubu’s public life is marked by a guiding belief: service to others is the highest calling. As a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, her faith has shaped her approach to politics and philanthropy. She often says that power is fleeting, but what endures is the impact one has on people’s lives.
This belief translates into principles that define her work. Leadership must show compassion and focus on the vulnerable. Empowerment is more lasting than dependency, so initiatives should give people tools for self-sufficiency rather than temporary relief. And faith should be the anchor that encourages integrity in public office.
Achievements as First Lady of Lagos
During her time as Lagos First Lady (1999–2007), she launched programs that continue to be remembered for their reach and impact.
The New Era Foundation was her signature initiative, promoting youth development, environmental health, and community service. The foundation established recreational centres, organised youth holiday camps, and ran campaigns on health and education.
The Spelling Bee Competition was perhaps her most famous initiative. It provided a platform for secondary school students to showcase their talents, and winners were given the symbolic opportunity to act as “One-Day Governor of Lagos State,” which boosted civic awareness among young people.
She also set up widows’ empowerment schemes to support women who were often marginalised in Nigerian society with skills training and financial aid. These projects reflected her conviction that lasting development begins with investing in people.
A Decade in the Senate
In 2011, Oluremi Tinubu was elected to represent Lagos Central in the Senate, a seat she would hold for three consecutive terms until 2023. Over twelve years, she carved out a reputation as one of the most consistent female legislators in Nigeria.
Her legislative record included bills on social protection, such as the Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) Bill, which sought to safeguard the welfare of senior citizens. She pushed for greater representation of women in politics and the economy, insisting that the Nigerian story is incomplete without female voices at the table. She also focused on education and skill training, lobbying for improved funding and initiating scholarship programmes for students in her constituency.
Her constituency office in Lagos became known for its responsiveness, from distributing work tools to artisans, to providing financial grants for small businesses. Her tenure in the Senate was not without criticism few political careers are but she left with a track record of focus and discipline in a chamber often marred by theatrics.
First Lady of Nigeria: A Broader Platform
When her husband was sworn in as President in May 2023, Oluremi Tinubu assumed the role of Nigeria’s First Lady. From the outset, she signalled that she intended to make the office a platform for broad national impact, not just ceremonial appearances.
Her current initiatives include the Renewed Hope Initiative, a national programme focused on women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. It aims to deliver empowerment schemes, grants, and social support systems in all six geopolitical zones. She has also launched national scholarship schemes to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Health outreach programmes are providing medical interventions with a focus on cancer screening and maternal health. Agricultural empowerment projects are introducing training and start-up grants for women in agriculture, a critical sector for Nigeria’s food security.Already, her office has launched interventions that mirror her earlier work in Lagos, now scaled to a national stage.
Ongoing 65th Birthday Fundraiser
To mark her 65th birthday in September 2025, Oluremi Tinubu announced a fundraiser for the National Library of Nigeria. The initiative seeks to upgrade facilities and expand access to learning resources across the country. For her, this project reflects a lifelong passion for education and literacy. By tying her personal milestone to a national cause, she underlines her view that service should remain at the centre of public life.
Activism and Advocacy
Beyond structured programmes, Oluremi Tinubu has also used her platform to advocate for cultural change. She is vocal about issues like gender-based violence, drug abuse among youth, and the erosion of civic values. She argues that Nigeria’s moral compass must be strengthened if development is to be sustainable, and she frequently calls on religious and community leaders to set examples of integrity.
Her voice also resonates abroad, where she represents Nigeria not just as First Lady but as a woman leader. Whether addressing conferences on women’s empowerment or meeting international partners, she blends tradition and modernity in a way that makes her relatable both at home and abroad.
Legacy in the Making
Oluremi Tinubu’s life and work raise a larger question: what does it mean to be a “force for good” in Nigeria today? The answer may lie not only in the projects she launches but in the values she champions. In a country where trust in leadership is fragile, she insists on the power of integrity. In a culture where short-term fixes are celebrated, she pushes for empowerment that lasts.
Her legacy, still in the making, will likely rest on education, empowerment, and ethics. These are the threads that run through her work from Lagos to Abuja.
At 65, Nigeria continues to wrestle with questions of identity, governance, and justice. Figures like Oluremi Tinubu remind us that patriotism is not only expressed in politics but in the work of nurturing communities. Whether mentoring young people, advocating for widows, or shaping policy in the Senate, she has sought to leave footprints of service.
To call her “a force for good” is not to deny the complexities of her role in a political family, nor the realities of Nigerian politics. It is, rather, to recognise a consistent thread in her journey: a belief that leadership is about lifting others. For a nation still striving to realise its promise, that message carries weight.
Oluremi Tinubu’s story is ultimately about possibility of what one woman, anchored in faith and driven by service, can contribute to the national narrative.
