The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has lamented that many Nigerian leaders who are celebrated and accorded respect internationally are often subjected to harsh criticism, abuse and ridicule by citizens at home.
Mrs Tinubu expressed the concern in a post shared on her Facebook page on Friday, following recent remarks by the United States President, Donald Trump, who described her as a “very respected woman” at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.
The annual interfaith event, attended by US lawmakers, religious leaders and international guests, provided the platform for Trump to publicly acknowledge the Nigerian First Lady while speaking on leadership, faith and global religious freedom.
Trump, during his address, recognised Tinubu’s dual role as Nigeria’s First Lady and an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the country’s largest Pentecostal churches.
Reacting to the recognition, Mrs Tinubu said the honour accorded to Nigerian leaders abroad contrasted sharply with the hostility they often face at home.
She attributed the situation to what she described as entrenched hatred and politically driven narratives that have shaped public perception and fuelled intolerance against leaders.
According to her, many Nigerians have been conditioned to devalue their leaders, even when those leaders are acknowledged internationally for their standing and contributions.
She further criticised what she described as a growing culture of online harassment and public ridicule, noting that leaders are frequently insulted, mocked and dragged on social media, often over perceived shortcomings.
Mrs Tinubu warned that such attitudes weaken national unity and undermine collective development, stressing that no nation thrives on constant hostility towards its leadership.
She called on Nigerians to embrace unity, mutual respect and constructive engagement, urging citizens to support their leaders in the collective task of nation-building rather than tearing them down.
Her comments come against the backdrop of renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly claims by Trump and some United States lawmakers that Christians face widespread attacks in the country.
In late 2025, the United States designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious violence, a decision that was strongly rejected by the Federal Government.
The government maintained that Nigeria’s security problems are rooted in terrorism and criminal activities affecting citizens across religious and ethnic lines, describing the designation as misleading and harmful to national cohesion.