President Trump praises Nigeria’s first Lady, Tinubu at US program

THE United States President, Donald Trump, on Thursday, February 5, publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, during his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, drawing attention to her religious background and leadership.

The annual interfaith gathering, which brought together members of the US Congress, clergy, diplomats and international guests, saw Trump pause mid-speech to recognise Tinubu in the audience while addressing issues of faith and global religious freedom.

“We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. A very respected woman. First Lady, please, where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too. Thank you,” Trump said, scanning the hall for her.

Mrs Tinubu is an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of Nigeria’s most prominent and influential Pentecostal churches, with branches across the country and in several parts of the world.

Trump’s comments came against the backdrop of ongoing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security challenges and debates over religious freedom in the country. In recent months, the former US president and some American lawmakers have raised concerns about attacks on Christian communities, placing Nigeria under renewed spotlight in Washington.

In late 2025, Trump formally designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged violence targeting Christians, a move that sparked sharp reactions from Nigerian officials. The Federal Government dismissed the designation, arguing that it misrepresented the nature of insecurity in the country.

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Nigerian authorities have repeatedly insisted that the nation’s security problems stem largely from terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities affecting people across religious lines. They also emphasised that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of worship for all citizens, regardless of faith, and rejected suggestions that the state tolerates religious persecution.