FIC Report (Sokoto State) – The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visited the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, in his palace on Saturday, 25th July, 2026,to promote peace, unity and national development.
She described the visit as a long-overdue and to personally appreciate the revered monarch for his unwavering support, fatherly guidance and prayers for the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to her, she had long desired to visit the sultan to personally thank him for his steadfast support, wise counsel and prayers since inception of the present administration. She recalled that, although she visited Sokoto during the 2023 presidential campaign, she was unable to meet the sultan because he was out of the country at the time.
The First Lady described the sultan as the symbol of peace, unity and national cohesion whose leadership has fostered harmony and stability.
She also recalled the Sultan’s visit to Ile-Ife during the conferment of a traditional title on her by the Oni-of-Ile-Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, describing the gesture as a remarkable demonstration of goodwill that strengthened her resolve to reciprocate the courtesy by visiting Sokoto. She further reminisced about her first meeting with the Sultan many years ago in Dubai, during the commissioning of the Burj Khalifa, nothing that the cordial relationship established then has continued to flourish over the years.
The First Lady prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan long life, sound health and continued wisdom in the discharge of his responsibilities. She also prayed for lasting peace, unity and prosperity in Sokoto state and Nigeria at large.
She also commended the Governor of Sokoto for the warm reception accorded to her and members of her delegation despite his other engagements. She thanked the Women of the state, members of the Sultanate Council and the people of the state for their hospitality.
Responding, the Sultan of Sokoto warmly welcomed the First Lady to the seat of the Caliphate, describing her visit as a homecoming.He thanked the Almighty Allah for blessing Sokoto state with abundant rainfall and pleasant weather ahead of the visit, which he described as a sign of divine favour. The sultan stated that Senator Remi Tinubu was not a stranger to Sokoto, he recalled that he had known her and her husband president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nearly two decades, during the period when the president served as the Governor of Lagos State.
Also speaking, the Governor of Sokoto state, Ahmed Aliyu, welcomed the First Lady to the seat of the Caliphate on behalf of the Government and people of Sokoto state, describing her visit as a great honour and testament to the cordial relationship between the presidency and the state. He commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the impactful intervention of the Renewed Hope Initiative, nothing that the programme has continued to improve lives of youths, youths, women, children, and other vulnerable groups through the economic empowerment, educational support, health care services, humanitarian assistance and other people-centered initiatives across the country. Governor Aliyu said that the initiative complements the efforts of Government at all levels in improving the welfare of Nigerians, and lauded the compassion and commitment to national development. He also paid glowing tribute to the Sultan of Sokoto, describing him as a father figure whose authority, exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to peace, unity and national cohesion inspires millions of Nigerians.
The Governor noted that although the First Lady’s visit was private, it provided an opportunity to acknowledge the Sultan’s invaluable contributions to religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and national stability.
Sani Ramatu (Mrs),
Head of Centre,
FIC, Sokoto.
27th/07/2026.
