NIGERIA: Tinubu Celebrates Wife Oluremi At 65, First Lady Dedicates Birthday To National Library Project

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday paid glowing tribute to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as she marked her 65th birthday, describing her as his confidant, counsellor, and unwavering anchor through decades of political and personal trials.

In a heartfelt message released at midnight, the President lauded the First Lady not only as his spouse but as a lifelong partner whose sacrifices, he said, had quietly shaped both their family and the nation.

“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 role during years of political struggle and exile, noting that her support amounted to a form of national service.

“Nigeria owes you more than many will ever know. In every sacrifice you made quietly, in every burden you carried without complaint, you have served this country as surely as I have, not from the podium, but from the heart of our home,” he said.

The President further commended her as a role model to their children and grandchildren and as a symbol of resilience for Nigerian women.

“You are more than my wife. You are my confidant, counsellor, and the steady flame illuminating my path,” he added.

Expressing gratitude in his dual capacity as husband and President, Tinubu concluded, “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.”

Meanwhile, the First Lady announced she would dedicate her birthday to raising funds for the completion of Nigeria’s long-delayed National Library headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement she issued ahead of the celebrations, Mrs Tinubu appealed to well-wishers to channel gifts, cakes, flowers, or paid newspaper tributes into the “Oluremi@65 Education Fund,” coordinated by the Ministry of Education.

“This will be the best birthday present I would ever receive. My love for education has informed my decision to dedicate my birthday to this worthy cause,” she stated.

The National Library project, first awarded in 2006 for ₦8.59 billion and expected to be completed in under two years, has suffered repeated delays and cost overruns.

By 2023, only 44 per cent of the structure had been completed, with revised estimates running as high as ₦120 billion.

Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, the 12-storey building has become a symbol of stalled infrastructure.

In 2025, the Federal Government directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to resume work on the site, with Education Minister Tunji Alausa announcing that construction would restart in June.

The Nigerian Library Association has repeatedly urged the Federal Government to prioritise the project, stressing its importance to education, research, and cultural preservation.

Mrs Tinubu, a former senator and ex-First Lady of Lagos State, has consistently tied her advocacy to education, women’s empowerment, and youth development.