Remi Tinubu Opens Up About Loneliness, Betrayal, and Faith After Becoming Nigeria’s First Lady

Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has opened up about the emotional struggles she faced after her husband’s victory in the 2023 general election.

In her memoir titled The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, she shared that she battled fear, doubt, and loneliness as she prepared to take on her new role.

She explained that even though her husband’s win brought joy, it also came with pressure and anxiety.

The weight of expectations from millions of Nigerians made her question if she was ready to serve effectively as the First Lady of such a large and diverse country.

Remi Tinubu revealed that before the May 29, 2023 inauguration, she often cried in private despite the celebrations around her.

She said she felt alone and betrayed by people she once considered close friends and spiritual family. Many of them were people she had trusted and welcomed into her home, which made their betrayal even more painful.

She added that while some people walked away, others stood by her. Those who remained offered encouragement and reminded her that everything happening was part of God’s plan. Their support helped her regain strength during that difficult time.

The First Lady admitted that there were moments when she felt sorry for herself. She described these times as “pity parties” where she didn’t know who to turn to for comfort or advice.

Her mentor, however, constantly reminded her of God’s promises and encouraged her to stay strong and focused, despite the criticisms and challenges.

Over time, her faith helped her rebuild her confidence. She decided to stop dwelling on the pain and instead focus on how to serve the country. This marked the beginning of her renewed sense of purpose as Nigeria’s First Lady.

While her husband, President Bola Tinubu, worked on forming his cabinet, she started developing her own project called the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The programme was designed to align with her husband’s Renewed Hope Agenda and focuses on five main areas: agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social investment.

Remi Tinubu also shared personal details about her preparations for the inauguration. She said finding the right outfit was unexpectedly stressful, as most of the clothes made for her didn’t feel right. Eventually, a friend brought her a traditional royal fabric known as Alari, which she wore proudly on the big day.

She added that her husband’s outfit came first because it was his special moment as the new President.

She also spoke about the emotional toll of her husband’s Muslim-Muslim ticket during the election. As a Christian, she said it caused tension between her and some church groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

The situation made her feel isolated within her own local church, but she held on to her faith and chose peace over bitterness.

Despite all the pain, betrayal, and emotional struggles, Remi Tinubu said her faith in God helped her heal and find purpose. She has since focused on service and compassion through her Renewed Hope Initiative.

Her story shows that even those in positions of power face personal battles, but faith and perseverance can lead to strength, healing, and growth.