In the bustling heart of Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos State, a message of profound admiration and communal celebration echoed through the corridors of power on a serene Sunday. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the visionary leader steering the megacity toward greater heights, extended his most sincere and warm wishes to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the esteemed First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as she marked her 65th birthday. This gesture, far from a mere formality, stands as a poignant testament to the enduring legacy of a woman whose life has been a beacon of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the upliftment of her nation.
The congratulatory message, meticulously crafted and personally signed by Governor Sanwo-Olu, was disseminated through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile. Issued from the vibrant epicenter of Lagos, it arrived not just as words on a page but as a collective embrace from a state that has long regarded Senator Tinubu as one of its most cherished daughters. At 65, Oluremi Tinubu—affectionately known to many as "Mama" or the "Jagaban's pillar"—embodies the quiet strength that underpins Nigeria's democratic journey. Her birthday, observed on September 21, 2025, coincides with a moment of national reflection, where the echoes of her contributions resonate amid the nation's ongoing quest for renewed hope and inclusive progress.
Governor Sanwo-Olu's words were laced with a deep sense of pride and gratitude, painting a vivid portrait of the First Lady's role as an unyielding pillar of support for her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since assuming the mantle of the presidency on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has navigated the complexities of steering Nigeria through economic reforms, security challenges, and social transformations. Yet, behind this leadership stands Senator Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Initiative has emerged as a transformative force, touching the lives of millions across the federation. Sanwo-Olu highlighted this initiative not merely as a program but as a lifeline—a symphony of interventions that have delivered tangible relief to families grappling with the vicissitudes of daily existence. From nutritional support for vulnerable children to economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs, the initiative has woven threads of hope into the fabric of Nigerian society, proving that compassion, when institutionalized, can indeed move mountains.
"Lagos is proud to celebrate Senator Remi Tinubu at 65, following her dedicated service to Lagos State as First Lady and member of the Senate for 12 years," the governor articulated with evident emotion. These words encapsulate a chapter of Senator Tinubu's life that Lagosians hold dear. Her tenure as First Lady of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 was nothing short of revolutionary. In an era when women's voices were often sidelined in political discourse, she championed causes that elevated the marginalized. Initiatives like the Lagos Eko Secondary School Support Programme, which refurbished hundreds of classrooms and provided educational resources to underprivileged students, bore her indelible stamp. She didn't stop at education; her advocacy extended to health, where she spearheaded campaigns against maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS, partnering with international organizations to bring cutting-edge medical aid to Lagos' teeming slums. These efforts weren't flashy spectacles but methodical, grassroots endeavors that left lasting imprints—schools rebuilt, lives saved, and futures brightened.
Transitioning seamlessly from state to national service, Senator Tinubu's 12-year stint in the Nigerian Senate, spanning three consecutive terms from 2011 to 2023, further solidified her reputation as a legislative titan. Representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, she wasn't content with the rarified air of the Red Chamber; she descended into the communities, amplifying the cries of the voiceless. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, she pushed through bills that fortified protections against gender-based violence and promoted equitable access to education. Her legislative footprint includes the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, a landmark piece of legislation that has since been adopted nationwide, offering legal recourse to survivors of abuse. Colleagues in the Senate often recall her as the "conscience of the chamber," a mediator whose blend of Yoruba wisdom and global perspective bridged divides, fostering bipartisan support for progressive policies.
What makes Senator Tinubu's journey all the more inspiring is the seamless continuity of her selfless dedication into her current role as First Lady. Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that since President Tinubu's inauguration, she has wielded her influence not for personal aggrandizement but for the greater good, particularly targeting the empowerment of women and children. In a country where gender disparities persist— with women comprising over 50% of the population yet holding less than 6% of seats in the National Assembly—her interventions cut through the noise. Through the Renewed Hope Initiative, launched shortly after the administration's inception, she has orchestrated a nationwide rollout of palliative measures that address the immediate pangs of hardship. Picture this: in the dusty markets of Kano, widows receive startup grants to revive their tailoring businesses; in the flood-prone deltas of the Niger, lactating mothers get fortified meals to combat malnutrition; in urban sprawls like Abuja, young girls are equipped with sanitary products and vocational training to shatter cycles of poverty. These aren't abstract statistics; they are stories of reclamation, where despair yields to dignity.
The governor's praise extended to her tireless efforts in addressing the multifaceted needs of women and children, a domain where Senator Tinubu has long been a trailblazer. Her programs transcend tokenism, embedding sustainability at their core. Take, for instance, the Women Farmers Empowerment Programme under Renewed Hope, which has trained over 100,000 women in modern agricultural techniques, from hydroponics to climate-resilient crop cultivation. In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative has not only boosted food security but also positioned women as economic powerhouses in rural economies. Similarly, her advocacy for mental health among adolescents—often a taboo subject in conservative Nigerian circles—has led to the establishment of counseling hubs in secondary schools, where trained psychologists offer safe spaces for youth navigating the pressures of a rapidly modernizing society. Sanwo-Olu's message underscores these as "various empowerment programmes and projects," but they represent a holistic ecosystem: education, health, economic inclusion, and social justice, all intertwined to foster generational change.
At the heart of it all lies the Renewed Hope Initiative, the crowning jewel of Senator Tinubu's public service. Championing this flagship endeavor, she has provided relief and support to families across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In the wake of economic headwinds—rising inflation, subsidy removals, and naira volatility—the initiative has distributed over 1.5 million bags of rice, alongside cash transfers and skill-building workshops. But its genius lies in its adaptability; in the Northeast, scarred by Boko Haram insurgency, it funds trauma healing centers for displaced families. In the Southwest, it bolsters tech hubs for female coders, bridging the digital divide. Sanwo-Olu's endorsement of this as a beacon of national unity is spot on: it transcends ethnic, religious, and regional fault lines, reminding Nigerians that hope is a shared currency.
In a personal touch that humanizes the political narrative, Governor Sanwo-Olu invoked his own family, extending felicitations "on behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, the government and the entire people of Lagos State." This inclusive salutation transforms the message from gubernatorial decree to communal serenade, inviting every Lagosian— from the traders in Balogun Market to the tech innovators in Yaba's Silicon Lagoon—to join in the jubilation. He hailed Senator Tinubu as "a great ambassador of our dear State," a nod to her roots in Lagos, where she was born on this very date in 1960 to the illustrious Ayeni family. Her early life, steeped in the cultural richness of Isokan, Osun State, and later Lagos, instilled values of resilience and community that would define her path. Educated at the University of Lagos, where she earned a degree in Accountancy, she blended professional acumen with a passion for service, rising through corporate ranks before diving into politics.
Sanwo-Olu's tribute delved deeper into her storied service: "She has served the State passionately as First Lady for eight years and as a member of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly for three consecutive terms without any blemish." These 20 years of unflinching dedication are a masterclass in integrity. During her time as Lagos First Lady, she founded the Omatshola Education Foundation, which sponsored scholarships for over 5,000 indigent students, many of whom now occupy boardrooms and lecture halls. In the Senate, her blemish-free record wasn't accidental; it stemmed from a principled stance against corruption, earning her accolades from transparency watchdogs like Transparency International. "We are proud of her achievements in both private and public offices," the governor continued. "Her contributions to the development of both Lagos and Nigeria are commendable." Indeed, from auditing corporate ledgers in her accounting days to auditing societal inequities in public life, her career arc is a narrative of purposeful evolution.
The celebratory tone crescendoed as Sanwo-Olu urged a collective remembrance: "We celebrate her today and always for her kindness, advocacy for social justice, and philanthropic endeavours." Kindness, in her lexicon, isn't performative; it's the quiet act of hosting monthly prayer sessions for interfaith harmony in her Lagos residence, drawing Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists into dialogues of peace. Her social justice advocacy shines in battles against child labor and trafficking, where she collaborated with NGOs to rescue and rehabilitate thousands. Philanthropy, for Senator Tinubu, is personal—stemming from her own encounters with loss, including the tragic passing of her son Jide in 2019, which deepened her resolve to support bereaved families through the Renewed Hope Grief Support Network.
As the message drew to a close, the governor invoked divine benediction: "God will give her more strength and grace to render more service to humanity and our dear country, Nigeria." This prayer resonates profoundly in a nation yearning for steady hands amid turbulence. At 65, Senator Tinubu stands at a crossroads of reflection and reinvention, her life a tapestry of triumphs that inspire not just women but all who dare to serve. Her marriage to President Tinubu, a partnership forged in the fires of pro-democracy struggles under military rule, exemplifies mutual fortification—his bold visions amplified by her nurturing resolve.
To fully appreciate the import of this birthday milestone, one must contextualize it within Nigeria's socio-political landscape. The year 2025 marks two years into the Tinubu administration's "Renewed Hope" agenda, a blueprint promising economic diversification, infrastructural renaissance, and social equity. Senator Tinubu's initiatives dovetail seamlessly, embodying the "bottom-up" approach that prioritizes human capital. Critics might quibble over the pace of reforms, but her work—lauded by international bodies like the UN Women—offers empirical proof of progress. In Lagos, where Governor Sanwo-Olu's THEMES+ agenda (Traffic Management, Health, Education, Making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security) aligns with her vision, the synergy is palpable. Joint projects, like the Lagos Women Skill Acquisition Centre, have upskilled 50,000 women since 2023, fueling the state's GDP growth to 7.5% in the last fiscal year.
Beyond accolades, Senator Tinubu's 65th birthday invites introspection on women's roles in Nigerian leadership. As the nation edges toward the 2027 elections, her example challenges the glass ceiling, urging more women into the fray. Her story—from accountant's ledger to First Lady's ledger of lives transformed—mirrors the aspirations of millions. In the words of Chinua Achebe, she is the "arrowhead of the community," pointing toward a more equitable tomorrow.
Governor Sanwo-Olu's message, thus, is more than a birthday note; it's a clarion call to emulate her grace under pressure, her fusion of faith and action. As Lagos pulses with life—from the hum of Third Mainland Bridge to the serenity of Lekki Conservation Centre—its people stand united in this celebration. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at 65, isn't merely aging; she's ripening into legend, her light undimmed, her service unending. May the years ahead bring her the vigor to continue weaving hope's threads, for Nigeria, and indeed Africa, needs her now more than ever.
