Washington, D.C. — United States President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a “very respected woman” during the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast held on Capitol Hill.
While recognising her presence at the high-profile gathering, Trump noted Mrs. Tinubu’s role as a Christian pastor, commending her influence and leadership.
“We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at one of the largest churches. A very respected woman,” Trump said. “First Lady, where are you? Thank you very much. It is a great honour to have you with us.”
Mrs. Tinubu’s appearance in Washington comes amid renewed global discussions on religious freedom in Nigeria. However, the First Lady dismissed claims of widespread persecution of Christians in the country, describing such narratives as exaggerated and driven by propaganda.
Speaking at the International Religious Summit in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Tinubu said President Trump’s heightened focus on the safety of Christians had opened a diplomatic opportunity to strengthen Nigeria–United States relations and address broader security challenges, including terrorism and banditry.
She described the attention on Nigeria as a “wake-up call” for the government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
“I see President Trump’s focus on the killing of Christians as a form of divine intervention,” she said in an interview with The Hill. “It has created an opportunity for the world to better understand what Nigeria is grappling with as an emerging economy.”
Mrs. Tinubu explained that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and interconnected, involving criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and theft, rather than being purely religious in nature.
“When kidnappers realise attention is focused on Christians, it can unintentionally make them targets,” she said, stressing the need for a more nuanced understanding of the country’s security issues.
The First Lady, who was accompanied by Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, said Nigeria is seeking deeper cooperation with the United States, particularly in trade and security.
“We want to build a strong relationship with America — on trade and on security. You cannot have meaningful trade if investments are not secure,” she noted.
Addressing concerns that international attention could worsen the situation for Nigerian Christians, Mrs. Tinubu said the scrutiny was necessary and beneficial.
“There is nothing wrong with the concern. It is a wake-up call for us to step up what we are doing and ensure that lives are protected,” she added.
Mrs. Tinubu is in Washington to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, engage with policymakers, and address misconceptions about religious freedom and security in Nigeria.
