A 62 – year – old Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, is a woman of note. She is many things in one: an academic, pastor, philanthropist, and above all a politician.
It is interesting to remember that Oluremi Tinubu has been a first lady when her husband was governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007. This feat is not achieved by many women. Mrs Tinubu is coming as the third former governor’s wife to become Nigeria’s first lady – after Hajiya Turai Yar’adua and Dame Patience Jonathan.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Tinubu is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and her husband was elected president under a controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Born on September 21, 1960, in Ogun State, Nigeria, Oluremi was the youngest of 12 children. She attended primary and secondary schools in Lagos State before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), in 1983.
After completing her degree, Oluremi began working as a teacher at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School in Lagos. She later went on to work at the Lagos State University, where she became a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Education. Oluremi’s experience as an educator would later become an asset in her political career, where she became an advocate for women’s education and empowerment.
As first Lady of Lagos, she held the office with astute charisma and initiated life-touching programs, especially for children and women. One such program is the New Era Foundation, which is responsible for the “all-round development of young ones and promotes public awareness of environmental health and community service.”
Oluremi’s political career began in 2011 when she was elected to the Senate to represent Lagos Central Senatorial District. She was re-elected to the Senate in 2015 and 2019, making her the first woman to be elected to the Senate three times in Nigeria’s history. During her time in the Senate, Oluremi chaired the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, as well as the Committee on Women Affairs.
As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Oluremi became an advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. She worked to increase the participation of women in politics and advocated for policies that would improve the lives of women and girls in Nigeria. Oluremi was also a vocal advocate for the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which was eventually passed into law in 2015.
In addition to her work in the Senate, Oluremi has also been active in various other political and social organizations. She was a member of the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and has served as the National President of the Nigerian Guild of Women Writers. She has also been a member of the National Council of the National Women’s Societies, the Nigerian Association of Teachers of Technology, and the Association of Nigerian Authors.
Oluremi’s political career has not been without controversy. In 2016, she made headlines when she called a constituent who had come to her office to demand his rights a “thug.” The incident was caught on video and widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage among Nigerians who felt that Oluremi’s comments were disrespectful and unbecoming of a public servant.
Despite the controversy, Oluremi remains a respected figure in Nigerian politics. Her dedication to women’s rights and education has made her a role model for many young women in Nigeria, and her advocacy for the passage of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act has helped to improve the lives of countless Nigerian women.
Oluremi’s personal life is just as impressive as her political career. She is married to Asiwaju Tinubu, one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians and a former governor and celebrated kingmaker. The couple has been married for over 30 years and has three children together.
The senator’s dedication to public service and advocacy for women’s rights and education has made her a beloved figure in Nigeria. Her legacy as the first woman to be elected to the Senate three times and her work to improve the lives of women and girls in Nigeria will continue to inspire future generations of women in Nigeria and beyond.
