Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said her personal aspiration is to serve as a positive case study and role model for young girls, amid what she described as a growing scarcity of relatable role models in contemporary society.
She made the remarks on Thursday, January 29, during the inauguration of the “Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre” at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. The centre, she said, was conceived as a platform to inspire, empower and nurture the dreams of young people, particularly girls, toward purposeful and values-driven lives.
Addressing students, university officials and invited guests at the event, the First Lady stressed the importance of example-based leadership, noting that young people often learn more from what they see than what they are told.
“All along, I have been thinking that I should be a case study for young girls,” Tinubu said. “We talk about the girl child all the time, but the reality is that many young people today no longer have clear role models to look up to.”
She expressed concern that the digital age, despite its many advantages, has also created an environment where misinformation, envy and negative narratives thrive, making it difficult for young people to identify genuine examples of success and integrity.
“We live in an age where, even when people are doing well, out of envy, many untrue things are said about them on the internet,” she noted. “Because of this, our young people do not really see many people they can truly emulate.”
The First Lady explained that her belief in mentorship and role modelling was shaped by her own upbringing, where positive examples played a critical role in defining her ambitions and values. She encouraged young girls to be deliberate about the dreams they nurture and the paths they choose.
According to her, having a clear sense of purpose from an early age can help young people remain focused despite challenges and distractions.
Reflecting on her childhood, Tinubu shared a personal story of how she discovered her passion for teaching at a young age and worked steadily toward achieving that goal.
“As young as I was then, just like the two girls who welcomed me here today, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “And in the end, I became one. That dream shaped my life and my understanding of service.”
She urged young girls not to underestimate the power of their dreams, adding that consistency, discipline and character are essential ingredients for success. She also encouraged them to look beyond fleeting online fame and instead pursue achievements that contribute meaningfully to society.
The inauguration of the Dream Centre, she explained, aligns with her broader advocacy for education, youth development and the empowerment of women and girls. The facility is expected to serve as a hub for mentorship programmes, skills development initiatives and value-based learning.
University authorities at the event described the centre as a timely intervention that would provide students with opportunities for personal growth, leadership training and intellectual engagement beyond the classroom.
In her remarks, Tinubu also called on parents, educators and community leaders to play more active roles in guiding young people, stressing that the responsibility of nurturing future leaders should not be left to chance or social media influence.
“Our society must be intentional about raising young people who are confident, ethical and service-oriented,” she said. “We all have a role to play in shaping the future.”
She concluded by reaffirming her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, mentorship and positive values, expressing hope that the Dream Centre would inspire generations of students to believe in their potential and pursue their aspirations with integrity.
The event drew applause from students and guests, who hailed the First Lady’s message as a timely reminder of the enduring importance of character, purpose and positive role models in nation-building.
