Manny Ita –
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly singled out Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for commendation during the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Washington Hilton. Addressing a global audience of political leaders, diplomats, and clergy, Trump interrupted his keynote speech to recognize the First Lady, describing her as a “very respected woman” and a “respected figure” on the world stage. The U.S. President specifically drew attention to her dual role as a political leader and a Christian pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest denominations, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). “We are 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,” Trump stated as he scanned the room to acknowledge her presence.
The high-profile recognition is being viewed by diplomatic analysts as a strategic “soft-power” move by the Tinubu administration to reset relations with Washington following a period of aggressive rhetoric and diplomatic cooling between the two nations. Senator Tinubu’s appearance at the faith-based gathering coincides with heightened U.S. scrutiny over religious freedom in Nigeria, which led the Trump administration to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in late 2025. By leveraging the First Lady’s pastoral background at such a sensitive moment, Abuja appears to be reopening a channel of warmth with the Trump-led government. During the breakfast, Trump also referenced ongoing security collaborations, disclosing that U.S. and Nigerian forces had coordinated recent strikes against ISIS militants to protect religious communities, stating, “My administration is confronting head-on the militants and really intolerant campaign that tried to drive religious believers out of public life.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu has used her visit to Washington to further advocate for international cooperation on social issues, echoing her recent calls during the United Nations-designated Interfaith Harmony Week for “faith-fueled action” and dialogue to build inclusive societies. Beyond the public commendation, the First Lady’s presence at the event alongside prominent global faith leaders has placed Nigeria’s humanitarian and religious profile at the center of current U.S.-Africa discourse. Following the breakfast, observers noted that the unusually warm remarks from Trump, who is often characterized as mercurial in his diplomatic dealings, signal a potential shift toward a more receptive partnership between Abuja and the White House. The First Lady’s team has affirmed that she remains committed to using her platform to foster “mutual understanding and collective efforts” for national and global peace.
