Tinubu Celebrates Wife Oluremi at 66, Calls Her His “Truest Friend and Confidante”
President Bola Tinubu celebrates First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, praising her as his truest friend, confidante, counsellor and steadfast partner.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated his wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, describing her as his “truest friend and confidante” and praising her for the patience, courage, honesty and support she has shown throughout their years together.
In a deeply personal birthday message released on September 20 ahead of her birthday on September 21, the President reflected on his relationship with the First Lady, describing her as a woman who has stood beside him through different seasons of their lives and remained a source of counsel during difficult moments. (State House)
The message, titled “I Would Choose the Same Road That Led Me to You,” presented an unusually personal account of the President's appreciation for his wife.
“Today, I celebrate the woman who has walked beside me with patience, grace and uncommon courage,” Tinubu wrote.
He accompanied his tribute with a Yoruba proverb, “Ìyàwó rere ni adé ọkọ rẹ̀,” which translates as “A good wife is her husband’s crown,” while also referring to the biblical description of a virtuous woman.
Tinubu praises Oluremi's support
The President said Oluremi had remained a person who understood him, particularly during periods of uncertainty and pressure.
According to Tinubu, the responsibilities he carried often became shared burdens, while thoughts he could not express found understanding with his wife.
He recalled how she remained calm and prayed with him during difficult periods, adding that her presence alone could sometimes serve as counsel.
“Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me,” the President said in the tribute published by the State House.
Tinubu's description of Oluremi as his “truest friend and confidante” was one of the central themes of the birthday message.
He explained that he valued her willingness to tell him the truth, even when it was uncomfortable.
“I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it,” he wrote.
The President said that after demanding days, his wife would wait until they were alone before giving him the counsel she believed he needed.
He added that he had always cherished her honesty.
Family and faith
Tinubu also highlighted Oluremi's role within their family, saying their home carried the lasting imprint of her devotion.
He praised her influence on their children and grandchildren, noting that they had grown under the protection of her prayers and continued to carry values of faith and kindness.
The President's tribute therefore went beyond celebrating Oluremi's public role as First Lady, focusing instead on her position within the family and their long personal journey together.
The message portrayed their relationship as one built around shared experiences, prayer, difficult decisions and sacrifices that were not always visible to the public.
“A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner,” Tinubu wrote, reflecting on the years they had spent together.
Recognition of humanitarian work
Tinubu also used the occasion to acknowledge his wife's humanitarian activities.
He referenced her work through the New Era Foundation, established during their years in Lagos, as well as the Renewed Hope Initiative, which she has championed as First Lady.
According to the President, those efforts have reached young people, widows, elderly citizens and women farmers.
He also praised Oluremi's advocacy for people affected by tuberculosis and other diseases, describing her as a compassionate advocate for people in need.
The President said her compassion did not recognise ethnic, regional or religious boundaries.
“Nigerians know you for your compassion, kindness, generosity of spirit and steadfast faith,” he said. (Voice of Nigeria)
The reference to her humanitarian activities comes as the First Lady continues to use her office to promote initiatives focused on health, education, women and vulnerable groups.
“I would choose the same road”
Perhaps the most personal part of Tinubu's birthday message came when he reflected on whether he would make the same choices if he had the opportunity to live his life again.
The President said the difficult decisions, sacrifices, laughter and prayers they had shared had helped define their journey.
“If life returned me to the beginning, I would choose the same road that led me to you,” he wrote.
“Through every mile, my heart has always remained at home with you.”
The statement offered a glimpse into the personal relationship behind one of Nigeria's most prominent political families, while also placing the First Lady's role within the President's account of his own life journey.
Birthday prayers
Tinubu concluded his message by thanking his wife for the life they had built together and the love that had sustained their family.
He wished her many more years in good health and happiness.
“Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi,” the President wrote, asking God to grant her many more years of good health and joy.
He also prayed that the years ahead would bring her the same comfort and happiness she had given to him and many others.
Oluremi Tinubu's 66th birthday comes as she continues her role as Nigeria's First Lady and remains involved in initiatives addressing social welfare, health, education and economic empowerment.
Tinubu's tribute, however, focused less on the formal responsibilities associated with the office and more on the personal relationship between husband and wife.
By describing her as his “truest friend and confidante” and saying he would choose the same road that led him to her, the President used the occasion to publicly acknowledge the personal support and companionship he says have accompanied him throughout their shared journey.
The birthday message also underscored the importance Tinubu places on Oluremi's counsel, faith and honesty, portraying her not only as his wife but as a trusted companion who has remained close to him through both private and public challenges.
As Senator Oluremi Tinubu marks 66, the President's message offers a personal reflection on their years together while celebrating the First Lady's public service and humanitarian activities.
For the First Lady, the birthday marks another milestone in a life that has combined family, politics, public service and advocacy roles that have placed her prominently in Nigeria's national affairs.