Trump recognises Remi Tinubu at US national prayer breakfast in Washington

US President Donald Trump says Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady of Nigeria, attended the country’s national prayer breakfast held in Washington DC on Thursday.

Recognising the first lady at the event, Trump described Oluremi as a “very respected woman” and a “Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria”.

“We are honoured to be joined by the First Lady of Nigeria (Remi Tinubu), who also happens to be a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria, very respected woman…. it’s a great honour. Thank you very much,” Trump said in a video of the event.

The national prayer breakfast is an annual event where people of different political beliefs come together to pray.

Oluremi was ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal denominations, in 2018.

The first lady’s presence at the event comes amid the stance of the US government on killings and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

In October 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.

Barely a month later, Trump asked the United States department of war to prepare for “possible action” to wipe out Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.

On December 25, 2025, the US government launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in the north-western Nigerian state of Sokoto.

Subsequently, the US and Nigerian governments formed a working group to address issues on counter-terrorism and religious freedom in Nigeria.