Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has been showered with praises by US President Donald Trump. Mrs Tinubu received the unexpected praise at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill on Thursday, where the American President described her as a “very respected woman” who serves as a pastor at the “largest church in Nigeria.”

Against a background of applause, Trump said: “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. First Lady, please, where are you? Thank you very much.”

The annual event, attended by members of the US Congress, religious leaders and international guests, featured Trump recognising Tinubu in the audience as he addressed attendees on matters of faith and global religious freedom.

Mrs Tinubu is an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which is among Nigeria’s largest and most influential Pentecostal denominations.

The remarks came amid continued international attention on Nigeria’s security situation following recent claims by Trump and some US lawmakers that Christians in Nigeria face widespread violence.

In late 2025, Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged attacks on Christians — a move that drew criticism from the Nigerian government, which rejected the claims as inaccurate and harmful to national unity.

The Federal Government maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by terrorism and criminality affecting citizens of all faiths, and insisted that constitutional guarantees protect religious freedom for Muslims and Christians alike. (Pieced together from reports by AriseNews TV and The PUNCH)

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