Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has opened up about the profound emotional turmoil she endured following the 2023 general election victory, including feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and betrayal by close associates. In her 52-page memoir, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday, she candidly shares her struggles as she prepared to assume the role of First Lady in Africa’s most populous nation.
Reflecting on the period after President Bola Tinubu’s win and ahead of his May 29, 2023, inauguration, Remi Tinubu described a whirlwind of mixed emotions. “As for me, I had a lot of mixed feelings, questioning my readiness and capability to function effectively and optimally as the First Lady of so great a nation as ours,” she wrote. Despite the triumph, she felt profoundly alone, often weeping in private and grappling with the sting of betrayal from those she trusted deeply. “Despite the victory, I felt alone, weeping behind closed doors and wondering why I was betrayed by some of those I considered friends and spiritual family, many of whom I had opened up my home and my family to,” she revealed.
The decision to run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, she noted, exacerbated her sense of isolation, straining relationships with church groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. This left her feeling sidelined even within her local church community. Some former allies abandoned her during this vulnerable time, while others offered words of encouragement, reminding her of a divine purpose. Remi Tinubu admitted to occasional “pity parties,” contemplating reaching out for support and counseling, but drew strength from her faith and a mentor’s guidance, which helped silence the critics and restore her resolve.
As her husband focused on forming his cabinet, the First Lady channeled her energy into structuring her own initiatives. She conceived the Renewed Hope Initiative to complement President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targeting five critical areas: Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Social Investment. “My first line of thought was that my programme has to be in sync with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and I aptly settled for Renewed Hope Initiative. The scope and focus were in five key areas,” she explained.
The memoir also touches on lighter, yet poignant, personal anecdotes from inauguration preparations, such as the scramble to find the perfect outfit. She opted for traditional Alari or Etu fabric symbolizing royalty but faced challenges sourcing the right pieces. A friend’s last-minute delivery just a week before the event saved the day, while she repurposed items from her closet for subsequent ceremonies. Her husband’s attire, she humorously noted, took precedence: “It is his first big day before any other person.”
Through these revelations, Remi Tinubu underscores themes of resilience, faith, and service, urging a focus on moving forward to benefit the Nigerian people. “It was now time to move on and start planning what to do that would benefit our people; also, to prepare for the inauguration and mend body, soul and spirit,” she concluded. The book serves as both a personal testimony and a blueprint for her ongoing work as First Lady.
