Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said she finds it difficult to maintain relationships with people who do not believe in God.
She also revealed that in nearly 40 years of marriage to President Bola Tinubu, she can barely recall any moment when they raised their voices at each other.
The First Lady made the remarks on Thursday while hosting an Interfaith Breaking of Fast event, which brought together Iftar and Lent observances, at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The gathering was attended by Christian and Muslim leaders, wives of state governors, female lawmakers, ministers and several other notable women.
During the event, Oluremi Tinubu emphasised the importance of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
“Today is indeed a special day that God has made for us to come together, especially women from different backgrounds,” she said.
She noted that the simultaneous observance of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season presented a unique opportunity for unity.
“Since the Ramadan fast and the Lenten season started around the same time, it felt as though God was sending a message to us as a nation,” she added.
Reflecting on her nearly four decades of marriage to the president, who is a Muslim, the First Lady said religious differences should not be a source of division.
“Some of us are married to people of different faiths and have lived together peacefully for many years. In my own case, it has been almost 40 years,” she said.
“I can hardly remember any time when we raised our voices at each other—perhaps not more than twice in those 40 years. We have always tried to handle things with maturity and respect.”
She stressed that respect and understanding are essential for peaceful living among people of different backgrounds.
The First Lady also urged Nigerians to cultivate the fear of God, describing it as a vital foundation for trust and integrity in society.
“As Christians, sometimes we feel entitled because we believe grace is sufficient. But we cannot live without the fear of God,” she said.
“The Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I will relate with anyone in this country based on that principle.”
Oluremi Tinubu further encouraged women to play active roles in mentoring younger generations.
“We have a responsibility, especially toward the younger ones. We must guide and mentor them. The values we learned in the past are still relevant today, and we need to pass that wisdom on,” she said.
