Remi Tinubu raises N20bn after begging Nigerians for birthday funds

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced raising now fewer than N20 billion as donations for her 65th birthday.

Earlier this month, the First Lady appealed to well-wishers to convert birthday gifts and greetings into donations for the completion of the National Library project.

The First Lady, a former lawmaker who turned 65 on September 21, 2025, in a video message, said she would dedicate the day to God and a cause she described as close to her heart, rather than host a lavish celebration.

The fund, according to her, is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund”.

According to the First Lady, the completion of the National Library will be a great birthday gift for her.

Addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, the First Lady said she was a member of the Senate Committee on Education while she was in the Senate, adding that the education ministry was not able to build the National Library.

She said as a young person growing up, the library played a great role in shaping her person, and she was not happy that the National Library, which was initiated during the Shehu Shagari administration, was still incomplete up till today.

Speaking on the background of the criticism trailing her efforts, the First Lady said Nigerians should emulate the words of the former American President, who said citizens should not think of what the country can do for them, but what they can do for their country.

She said so far, Nigerians have donated over N20 billion Naira and more is still coming in.