United States President Donald Trump formally acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., drawing international attention to her presence and highlighting her profile both as Nigeria’s first lady and as a religious leader. The high-profile event brought together global political and faith leaders for a forum on spiritual reflection and leadership.
During his remarks on Thursday, Trump paused to recognise Senator Tinubu among the distinguished guests. He described her as a “very respected woman” and noted her additional role as a Christian pastor at one of Nigeria’s largest churches. Trump publicly searched for her in the audience before thanking her for attending, a gesture that was met with applause from the breakfast’s participants. His comments underscored both her religious influence and her diplomatic visibility on the international stage.
The National Prayer Breakfast, established decades ago as a regular gathering of political leaders, faith figures, diplomats and dignitaries from around the world, aims to foster dialogue on the intersection of faith, governance and public service. Attendance by high-ranking foreign representatives, including Mrs Tinubu, reflects the event’s role as a platform for soft diplomacy and faith-based engagement among global leaders.
Senator Tinubu’s visit to Washington comes amid ongoing diplomatic and security discussions between the United States and Nigeria. Ahead of the breakfast, she was interviewed by a US media outlet in which she spoke about collaborative efforts between Nigeria and the Trump administration on issues including terrorism and international cooperation. While not a formal diplomatic mission, her presence offered an opportunity to strengthen ties and present Nigeria’s perspectives on matters of shared concern.
The recognition by Trump may also be seen in the context of recent debates over religious freedom in Nigeria and the broader international discourse on protection of faith communities. Although Nigeria’s federal government has contested some claims tied to religious persecution, including the Country of Particular Concern designation by the US, the First Lady’s attendance at this faith gathering allowed her to engage with American leaders directly on spiritual and policy issues.
Overall, the acknowledgment of Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the National Prayer Breakfast represents a notable moment of visibility for Nigeria’s leadership in a major US diplomatic-religious forum.
