Nigerian Leaders Praised Abroad but Undermined at Home, Says First Lady

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed concern over what she described as a growing contradiction in how Nigerian leaders are perceived globally versus how they are treated by citizens at home.

In a statement shared on her official Facebook page on Friday, Mrs Tinubu said many Nigerian leaders command respect and honour internationally but face hostility, ridicule, and persistent criticism within the country. She attributed this pattern to politically motivated narratives and widespread intolerance driven by misinformation.

Her comments followed a recent moment of international recognition at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, where former United States President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged her presence and described her as a “very respected woman.” The high-profile event was attended by US lawmakers, religious leaders, and international delegates.

During his address, Trump highlighted Mrs Tinubu’s dual role as Nigeria’s First Lady and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, noting her influence both in governance and faith leadership.

Reacting to the praise, Mrs Tinubu lamented that such recognition often contrasts sharply with the treatment Nigerian leaders receive domestically. She said political actors deliberately plant negative narratives that foster resentment and encourage citizens to devalue their own leaders.

According to her, public discourse in Nigeria has increasingly become hostile, with leaders routinely subjected to insults, online abuse, and mockery, often amplified through social media platforms.

She warned that this culture of constant denigration weakens national cohesion and distracts from collective progress, stressing that no country thrives when its leadership is persistently undermined by its own people.

Mrs Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace unity, mutual respect, and constructive engagement, noting that national development requires cooperation between leaders and citizens rather than continuous antagonism.

Her remarks come amid heightened international attention on Nigeria, particularly following claims by some US officials that Christians face widespread violence in the country. In late 2025, the United States listed Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.

The Nigerian government has since rejected the designation, insisting that the country’s security challenges stem from terrorism and criminality that cut across religious and ethnic lines, and not from targeted religious violence.