Remi Tinubu says Nigerian leaders are respected abroad but criticised at home, reacting after praise from Donald Trump at the US Prayer Breakfast

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said that many Nigerian leaders enjoy deep respect and honour internationally but are often criticised and undervalued by citizens at home.

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Mrs Tinubu made the remarks in a Facebook post on Friday, days after United States President Donald Trump publicly described her as a “very respected woman” during the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, DC.

The annual event, attended by members of the US Congress, religious leaders and international guests, saw Trump acknowledge the Nigerian First Lady while speaking on faith, leadership 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,” Trump said during his address.

Reacting to the recognition, Mrs Tinubu expressed concern over what she described as a disconnect between how Nigerian leaders are perceived abroad and how they are treated at home.

According to her, persistent negative narratives driven by political interests have shaped public attitudes, leading to hostility and intolerance towards leaders.

“Most of our leaders are highly respected and honoured abroad, yet many Nigerians fail to value what they have because of hatred and the narratives planted in their minds by political paymasters,” she wrote.

She also criticised what she described as a culture of public ridicule and online abuse directed at public officials, warning that such behaviour undermines national unity and collective progress.

“They bully these leaders, speak ill of them, demean them, curse them, and even seize upon their mistakes to drag them across social media,” she added.

The First Lady urged Nigerians to promote unity and mutual respect, stressing that national progress depends on collective effort rather than division.

“Nigeria is built on love, unity, and collective effort toward shared success. Let us come together to support our respected leaders and work hand in hand with them to make our country great,” she said.

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Her remarks come amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security situation following claims by some US lawmakers that Christians in parts of the country face violence.