The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has set the social media abuzz after honoring Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, with a 2.7-kilometer road named after her at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The Ooni gesture to first lady, which also included a pavilion and monument in her honor, has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians grappling with the country’s economic crisis and rising fuel prices.
While the Ooni praised the First Lady’s dedication to education, women’s empowerment, and national unity during his birthday celebrations, many netizens are not smiling. The timing of the tribute, especially in the midst of widespread economic hardship, has ignited backlash online, with many questioning her contributions and the necessity of such an elaborate honor.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have been flooded with angry comments. One user wrote, “In this economy? People are suffering, fuel prices are through the roof, and they’re honoring her with a road and pavilion? What has she done to deserve this?”
Another user echoed the sentiments, saying, “What exactly has Oluremi Tinubu contributed to the average Nigerian in this tough time? We’re out here struggling to survive, and they’re spending money to build monuments in her name. This is misplaced priority at its peak!”
The controversy began when Oba Ogunwusi took to his Instagram page to share photos of the event and his statement praising the First Lady. He called her journey from a student at OAU to a national leader “inspiring,” and credited her for championing women’s rights and promoting education across Nigeria.
“Her Excellency’s journey from a student at Obafemi Awolowo University over 41 years ago to a national leader is inspiring. She has consistently championed the rights of women and children, advocating for gender equality, education, and social welfare,” the Ooni said.
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But this message of praise did little to placate Nigerians already frustrated by the soaring cost of living. Many argue that the ceremony and the resources spent could have been better directed toward addressing the country’s pressing issues, such as food inflation, rising unemployment, and fuel hikes.
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The outrage shows the disconnect many Nigerians feel between the ruling class and the struggles of ordinary citizens. As the criticism grows, the question remains whether the government and its allies will acknowledge the public’s outcry and address their concerns in a meaningful way.
