First Lady Urges Nigerians to Stay Hopeful About Tinubu’s Transformation Policies

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, met with the wives of the 36 state governors in Abuja, where she urged the public to support President Bola Tinubu’s policies at the federal level.

She has defended the economic reform agenda, stating that the measures are designed to lay foundations that will benefit both current and future generations of Nigerians.

Speaking at the opening of a meeting to review the second‑quarter activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the State House, Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said the federal government has focused on rebuilding and strengthening critical structures essential for sustainable national development.

According to her, the President has undertaken difficult but necessary reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, to reposition the country for long‑term growth.

Her words: “What we are doing in this administration is to make sure that even generations unborn would benefit. I believe there are a lot of foundations that the President has had to rebuild and rejig so that we can build lasting legacies that will transcend this administration.”

She stressed that although the reforms initially imposed hardships on citizens, Nigerians have shown resilience and confidence in the government’s direction.

“Take subsidy removal, for example. It was tough, very, very tough, which we all know, but the challenges were surmounted. We haven’t gotten to cruising level yet, but we are getting there,” she added.

Mrs Tinubu also urged young Nigerians to seize opportunities available through government ministries, departments and agencies, noting that many programmes and vacancies are now accessible through digital platforms.

The First Lady said youths should actively seek information on available initiatives rather than assume opportunities do not exist.

“We have to inform the youth. They say there are no jobs. Have you visited any ministry to ask what they have for the people? That is what the ministries and agencies owe the public. They can go there and ask, ‘What do you have for us? What can I key into?’”

She further noted that many government agencies are being led by young Nigerians who are contributing significantly to economic growth and innovation.

Speaking on the achievements of the Renewed Hope Initiative over the past three years, Mrs Tinubu said the programme has impacted thousands of lives across the country through interventions in agriculture, education, healthcare, social investments and economic empowerment.

She cited the distribution of disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls, grants for small‑scale businesses, support for elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, scholarships, ICT training programmes and healthcare interventions.

The First Lady added that the initiative has also committed substantial resources to tackling health challenges, including tuberculosis, breast cancer and malnutrition.

According to her: “I gave N2 billion for tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer and N500 million for food and nutrition programmes. These are some of the things we have been doing to ensure that whatever this government is trying to do will see the light of day.”

She said the initiative remains committed to expanding its interventions and empowering more Nigerians, particularly women and vulnerable groups.

Mrs Tinubu also encouraged Nigerians to embrace agriculture and innovation, stressing that food production and self‑reliance remain critical to national development.

She expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens not to lose faith in the country despite prevailing challenges.

“We have to renew our hope. Nigerians should not give up. We are a very proud nation and we have what it takes. We are more than enough. God bless Nigeria and God bless our children.”

The First Lady also stressed that children must not be allowed to go hungry, as she unveiled fresh steps by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to expand National Food Banks, nutrition support and community interventions for vulnerable families across the country.

She said the initiative is designed to tackle child malnutrition from the grassroots and ensure that pregnant women and nursing mothers also receive support.

Mrs Tinubu disclosed that following the inauguration of the National Food Bank Program in Abuja on 17 February 2026 and its subsequent flag‑off for the North‑East geopolitical zone on 27 April 2026, the next zones will be the North‑East and South‑West respectively.

She charged the wives of governors to continually look out for these vulnerable children in their states.

“Our children are not supposed to be going hungry. No matter what, when you see a child that is malnourished in your state, you have to take them and make sure that they are properly cared for.”

She explained that the food banks being rolled out under RHI across the six geopolitical zones will be located very close to primary health care centres to make it easier for families to access nutrition support alongside medical care.

“These food banks are built next to the primary health care centres so that the ones that need supplements can get their supplements; lactating mothers and pregnant women will also be given food items from the food bank.”

Mrs Tinubu explained that the project is being strengthened through support from donors and partner agencies, including the Bank of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dangote and the National Population Commission.

She said the support would help build and sustain the food banks across the states.

“What we have done so far is to come up with the strategy which for me is a very good example. It is now left for the first ladies to take it upon themselves and make sure that the states have more food banks because our children are not supposed to be going hungry.”

She said the efforts are part of a broader social investment agenda under RHI, which also covers education, scholarships, economic empowerment and environmental campaigns.

According to her, the programmes are meant to create lasting impact beyond the current administration.

“What we are doing in this administration is to make sure that even generations unborn would benefit.”

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