The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has felicitated with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, on her 66th birthday, describing her as a compassionate mother of Nigerian sports whose encouragement of female athletes continues to inspire young girls across the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his own birthday message, highlighted the First Lady’s longstanding work supporting young people, widows, elderly Nigerians and women through initiatives stretching from the New Era Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Adeboye said that within the sporting community, the First Lady has similarly demonstrated a consistent interest in athletes, particularly Nigerian women who have represented the country with distinction.
“Today, we celebrate much more than the birthday of our First Lady. We celebrate a mother who has consistently demonstrated that our athletes deserve encouragement, recognition and care. Her Excellency has shown a special place in her heart for our women in sports and for the young girls who look up to them.”
Adeboye recalled the First Lady’s relationship with the Super Falcons, noting that following Nigeria’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, she received the team at the State House and praised their resilience and sportsmanship despite their elimination by England. She specifically stressed their importance as role models for young Nigerian girls.
Her support continued when the Super Falcons qualified for the Paris Olympics, ending a 16-year absence from the women’s Olympic football tournament. In a goodwill message to the team, she praised their perseverance and said their achievement had inspired young girls to pursue their dreams.
And following the Super Falcons’ record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, the First Lady again celebrated the players at the Presidential Villa, describing them as role models and examples of courage, resilience and determination.
Adeboye said those interventions matter because young female athletes need successful women around them who publicly affirm that their dreams are legitimate and worth pursuing.
“Every time Her Excellency receives these athletes, celebrates them and tells them that they are role models, another young Nigerian girl somewhere is listening. She begins to believe that she too can become a Super Falcon, a wrestler, a basketball player, an athlete or a champion in whatever sport she chooses.”
The SSA noted that the First Lady’s interest has extended beyond football.
Earlier in 2026, she received Nigeria’s victorious women’s wrestling team after the athletes secured a 15th continental women’s title at the African Wrestling Championships in Egypt, winning eight gold and two silver medals. At the time, National Sports Commission Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade publicly praised her sustained support for women in Nigerian sports.
Adeboye said such attention is particularly important to grassroots development because Nigeria cannot build a sustainable sports system unless girls are deliberately included from the earliest stages.
“Grassroots sports development must belong to every Nigerian child. We cannot build the future with only half of our population. Our girls must have facilities, coaches, competitions, encouragement and pathways to the highest level. The First Lady’s interest in our female athletes strengthens that message.”
Beyond celebrating victories, Adeboye also pointed to the First Lady’s compassion during tragedy.
In August 2025, Senator Tinubu donated ₦110 million to the families of 22 Kano athletes who died in a road accident, with ₦5 million provided to each bereaved family through the Victim Support Fund.
For Adeboye, that gesture demonstrated an understanding that supporting sport means standing with athletes and their families not only when medals are won, but also in moments of pain.
“That is why I describe Her Excellency as a mother to Nigerian sports. A mother celebrates with you when you win, encourages you when the result does not go your way and stands beside the family when tragedy comes. That human touch is something our sporting community deeply appreciates.”
The Presidential aide said the First Lady’s commitment complements the wider sports agenda of President Tinubu, including the administration’s recognition and rewards for athletes who bring honour to the country. Following the Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph, for example, President Tinubu announced national honours, cash rewards and three-bedroom apartments for players and technical officials.
Adeboye said the combination of athlete welfare, grassroots development and encouragement for women in sports sends an important message about the place of sport in national development.
“Our ambition must be to create a Nigeria where a talented girl from any community can dream, be discovered, receive the right development and eventually represent her country. When she gets there, she must also know that Nigeria values her sacrifices.”
On behalf of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye wished the First Lady many more years of good health, strength and fulfilment in service to the country.
“On this special occasion of your 66th birthday, I join Mr. President, your family and millions of Nigerians in celebrating you. Thank you for standing with our athletes. Thank you for believing in our women. Thank you for reminding our young girls that their dreams matter.”
“May Almighty God continue to strengthen you, grant you good health and wisdom, and give you many more fruitful years of service to humanity and our great country. Happy birthday, Your Excellency.”
