Eleanor Finch
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria is not constitutionally recognised, but it has gained recognition and appreciation in the country. While the office of the First Lady is not mentioned in the Constitution, it has been accommodated by governments over the years. The wife of the President and those of the 36 state governors have called for formal recognition of the office, but some argue that this is unnecessary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official status | Informal, but accepted title |
| Constitutional recognition | Not recognised as a formal governmental institution |
| Official funding | Yes |
| Official staff | Yes |
| Address | Her Excellency |
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What You'll Learn
- The office of the first lady of Nigeria is not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
- The office of the first lady is an informal, but accepted title
- The office of the first lady is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution, therefore there is no official role for presidents' wives
- The office of the first lady has been recognised by successive administrations
- Official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence
The office of the first lady of Nigeria is not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
Political pundits, however, insist that in spite of this, successive administrations have recognised the office. The office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has become so ingrained in the country's political process that it can almost be considered a norm. Before 1985, Nigeria had presidents and Heads of State whose wives engaged in charity projects, though not under the formal office structure as seen today. In 1985, the glamorous structure now known as the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was established by Maryam Babangida.
The first lady of Nigeria is an informal, but accepted title, held by the wife of the president of Nigeria. The current first lady is Oluremi Tinubu, who has held the title since 29 May 2023. The first lady is addressed by the title Her Excellency. Official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence.
In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari refrained from giving recognition to the office of the first lady. Buhari told journalists in Kaduna before his election on 28 March that "there is no office of the first lady in the Nigerian constitution" and as such no official role for presidents' wives.
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The office of the first lady is an informal, but accepted title
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria is an informal, but accepted title, held by the wife of the president of Nigeria. The current first lady is Oluremi Tinubu, who has held the title since 29 May 2023. The Constitution of Nigeria does not create an office for the country's first lady or potential first gentleman. However, official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence. The first lady is addressed by the title Her Excellency.
The official status of the office of the wife of the president in Nigeria has been a subject of controversy over the years. Observers posit that none of the country’s constitutions since independence in 1960 has created or recognised the office of the First Lady as a formal governmental institution. Political pundits, however, insist that in spite of this, successive administrations have recognised the office. The office has become so ingrained in the country’s political process that it can almost be considered a norm.
Before 1985, Nigeria had presidents and Heads of State whose wives engaged in one form of charity project or the other, though not under the formal office structure as seen today. In 1985, the glamorous structure now known as the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was birthed by Maryam Babangida.
The recommendations for the scrapping of the First Lady offices at all levels of government by the Justice Alfa Belgore’s Presidential Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution also generated controversies among Nigerians. Observers note that the controversies, perhaps, motivated President Muhammadu Buhari to refrain from giving recognition to the office of the first lady.
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The office of the first lady is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution, therefore there is no official role for presidents' wives
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria is not recognised by the Nigerian Constitution, and therefore there is no official role for presidents' wives. The Constitution does not create an office for the country's first lady or potential first gentleman. However, official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence in 1960. The official status of the office of the wife of the president in Nigeria has been a subject of controversy over the years. Observers posit that none of the country's constitutions since independence have created or recognised the office of the First Lady as a formal governmental institution. Political pundits, however, insist that in spite of this, successive administrations have recognised the office.
The 'Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria' has no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). However, it has become so ingrained in the country's political process that it can almost be considered a norm. Before 1985, Nigeria had presidents and Heads of State whose wives engaged in charity projects, though not under the formal office structure as seen today. In 1985, the glamorous structure now known as the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was established by Maryam Babangida.
The recommendations for the scrapping of the First Lady offices at all levels of government by the Justice Alfa Belgore’s Presidential Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution also generated controversies among Nigerians. Observers note that the controversies, perhaps, motivated President Muhammadu Buhari to refrain from giving recognition to the office of the first lady.
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The office of the first lady has been recognised by successive administrations
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria has been recognised by successive administrations, despite the fact that the role is not mentioned in the country's constitution. The office is an informal, but accepted title, held by the wife of the president of Nigeria. The current first lady is Oluremi Tinubu, who has held the title since 29 May 2023.
The office of the First Lady has been a subject of controversy over the years. Observers posit that none of the country's constitutions since independence in 1960 has created or recognised the office as a formal governmental institution. However, official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence. The first lady is addressed by the title 'Her Excellency'.
Political pundits insist that successive administrations have recognised the office. The recommendations for the scrapping of the First Lady offices at all levels of government by the Justice Alfa Belgore’s Presidential Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution also generated controversies among Nigerians. Observers note that the controversies, perhaps, motivated President Muhammadu Buhari to refrain from giving recognition to the office of the first lady.
Before 1985, Nigeria had presidents and heads of state whose wives engaged in charity projects, though not under the formal office structure as seen today. In 1985, the glamorous structure now known as the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was birthed by Maryam Babangida.
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Official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria is not recognised by the country's constitution. However, official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady since Nigeria's independence in 1960. The office is an informal, but accepted title, held by the wife of the president of Nigeria. The current first lady is Oluremi Tinubu, who has held the title since 29 May 2023.
The official status of the office of the wife of the president in Nigeria has been a subject of controversy over the years. Observers posit that none of the country's constitutions since independence have created or recognised the office of the First Lady as a formal governmental institution. Political pundits, however, insist that in spite of this, successive administrations have recognised the office.
The 'Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria' has no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). However, it has become so ingrained in the country's political process that it can almost be considered a norm. Before 1985, the wives of Nigeria's presidents and Heads of State engaged in charity projects, though not under the formal office structure as seen today. In 1985, the glamorous structure now known as the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was established by Maryam Babangida.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the office of the First Lady of Nigeria is not recognised in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
The office of the First Lady of Nigeria is an informal, but accepted title.
Yes, official funding and staff have been allocated to the First Lady of Nigeria since the country's independence.
The traditional role of the First Lady of Nigeria is to visit orphanages and care for society's downtrodden.
The current First Lady of Nigeria is Oluremi Tinubu, who has held the title since 29 May 2023.
