President Bola Tinubu on Sunday celebrated his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 65th birthday, describing her as his confidant, counsellor, and “steady anchor” through decades of political and personal trials.
In a tribute released on Sunday, the President praised the First Lady as more than a spouse, noting her sacrifices both for 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 recalled her unwavering support through years of political struggle and exile, saying: “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.”
Tinubu also highlighted her influence as a role model for their children, grandchildren, and Nigerian women at large, describing her as “resolute yet tender, humble yet unshakably firm.”
Concluding his tribute, he wrote: “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. And as your lifelong companion, I say that I love you more than ever.”
Ahead of her birthday, Mrs Tinubu announced she would dedicate the celebration to raising funds for the completion of Nigeria’s long-delayed National Library headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed on September 18, she urged well-wishers to donate to the “Oluremi@65 Education Fund,” coordinated by the Ministry of Education, rather than sending gifts, cakes, or newspaper tributes.
“This will be the best birthday present I would ever receive,” she said. “My love for education has informed my decision to dedicate my birthday to this worthy cause.”
The National Library project, awarded in 2006 at N8.59bn and expected to be completed within two years, has remained unfinished after nearly two decades. Costs have since ballooned to between N49.6bn and N120bn, while physical completion stands at just 44 per cent.
Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, the 12-storey complex has become a symbol of stalled infrastructure. In 2025, the Federal Government directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to take over funding and resume construction, with Education Minister Tunji Alausa confirming in April that work would restart in June.
The Nigerian Library Association has also renewed its call for urgent completion, stressing the importance of the facility for education, research, and cultural preservation.
Oluremi Tinubu, a former senator and one-time First Lady of Lagos State, has consistently linked her advocacy to education, women’s empowerment, and youth development.
