President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, describing her as his “truest friend and confidante” and praising her patience, courage, compassion and steadfast faith.
In a heartfelt birthday message issued by the State House on Monday, September 21, 2026, President Tinubu said the First Lady had stood by him through every season of their lives together, particularly during difficult periods when the future was uncertain.
Addressing her as “Oluremi mi,” the President recalled the Yoruba saying, “Ìyàwó rere ni adé ọkọ rẹ̀,” meaning “A good wife is her husband’s crown,” and said his wife had given the saying true meaning in his life.
“You have stood by my side through every season,” Tinubu said, adding that burdens he had to bear often found their way onto her shoulders, while thoughts he could not express in words somehow found their way to her.
He described Oluremi as a source of counsel and comfort, saying her presence alone had sometimes been enough to guide him through challenging moments.
“I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it,” the President said.
He also praised her devotion to their family, noting that their children and grandchildren had grown under the shelter of her prayers and carried her values of faith and kindness.
Beyond the family, Tinubu highlighted the First Lady’s humanitarian activities, saying Nigerians knew her for her compassion, kindness, generosity and steadfast faith.
He traced her humanitarian work from the New Era Foundation during their years in Lagos to the Renewed Hope Initiative, saying her interventions had touched the lives of young people, widows, elderly citizens and women farmers across the country.
According to the President, people affected by tuberculosis and other diseases have also found in the First Lady “a compassionate advocate and a determined champion.”
He said her compassion transcended ethnic, regional and religious boundaries, noting that she had prayed for and assisted people whose names she might never know.
Tinubu further reflected on their long journey together, recalling difficult decisions they had discussed for hours, sacrifices that went unnoticed by others, as well as the role of laughter and prayer in sustaining their relationship.
“A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner. We have travelled a long road together,” he said.
In one of the most personal passages of the message, the President declared: “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.”
Tinubu thanked the First Lady for the life they had built together and prayed for her continued good health, joy and many more years.
“Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi. I pray that God Almighty will grant you many more years in good health and joy,” he said.
“May the years ahead bring you the same comfort and happiness you have so freely given to me and many others.”
Read the birthday message below:
“I WOULD CHOOSE THE SAME ROAD THAT LED ME TO YOU”:
President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu CELEBRATES FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU ON HER BIRTHDAY ON SEPTEMBER 21
Oluremi mi,
Today, I celebrate the woman who has walked beside me with patience, grace and uncommon courage.
Àwọn àgbà sọ pé, “Ìyàwó rere ni adé ọkọ rẹ̀.” A good wife is her husband’s crown. The Book of Proverbs, which you know far better than I do, also speaks eloquently of the worth of a virtuous woman.
You have given these words true meaning in my life. You have stood by my side through every season.
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.
Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me.
More often than not, you sense when I need counsel before I ask. There have been nights when your presence alone was counsel enough.
I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Those affected by tuberculosis or any disease at all have found in you a compassionate advocate and a determined champion.
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. For you, compassion has never recognised the boundaries of tribe, region or religion.
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.
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.
I thank you for the life we have built and the love that has held it together.
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.
With all my love,
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
September 21, 2026