Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said many public officials from the country receive significant respect internationally but are frequently criticised and underappreciated by citizens at home, which she attributed to politically driven narratives and hostility.
Mrs Tinubu made the comments in a Facebook post on Friday, shortly after United States President Donald Trump publicly referred to her as a “very respected woman” during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.
The annual gathering, attended by US lawmakers, religious figures and international guests, featured remarks by Trump on faith and leadership, during which he acknowledged the Nigerian First Lady’s presence. He commended her dual role as First Lady and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Reacting to the recognition, Mrs Tinubu said there appeared to be a gap between how Nigerian leaders are perceived abroad and how they are treated domestically. She argued that repeated negative messaging by political actors has shaped public attitudes and fostered resentment toward leaders.
According to her, many Nigerians overlook the global standing of their leaders because of entrenched hostility and narratives promoted for political ends.
She also criticised what she described as a culture of online ridicule and public disparagement directed at political figures, warning that such behaviour weakens national cohesion and progress.
The First Lady urged citizens to embrace unity and mutual respect, saying the country’s development depends on collective support for leadership and shared national goals.
Her remarks come amid heightened international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, following claims by Trump and some US lawmakers about violence affecting Christian communities in the country.
In late 2025, the United States listed Nigeria as a country of particular concern over alleged attacks on Christians, a designation the Federal Government rejected as inaccurate. Nigerian authorities have maintained that the nation’s security problems stem from terrorism and criminal activity impacting people across religious and ethnic groups.
