Oluremi Tinubu urges women to build capacity for public office

… launches Tinubu Torchbearers for 2027 campaign

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday urged Nigerian women aspiring to public office to pursue higher education and build stronger grassroots networks to improve their effectiveness in leadership roles.

Speaking at a meeting with state and zonal women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the First Lady said while the constitution only requires a minimum of a school certificate for elective positions, women must go beyond the basic requirement to develop competence and capacity.

“I tell people that the minimum requirement to run for an office is just a school certificate. But what is good is to have a lot of education,” she said.

She also emphasised the importance of grassroots engagement, urging women politicians to remain connected with their communities before, during, and after elections.

The remarks come shortly after the APC concluded its nationwide primaries, in which several female aspirants lost tickets for the House of Representatives and Senate races. Among those affected were incumbent lawmakers, including representatives from Imo and Edo States, while women’s representation in some constituencies fell below the party’s affirmative action target.

Reflecting on her own political career, the First Lady—who served three terms in the Senate—said sustained engagement with constituents was key to electoral success and political relevance.

“I have run elections not once, not twice, but thrice… I connect with the grassroots,” she said, adding that elected officials must maintain regular interaction with voters through structured outreach such as town hall meetings.

She stressed that politics is driven by numbers and party structures, urging women to understand internal party dynamics while building trust within their constituencies.