Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), an influential body that works to advance the well-being of women and children across the continent. Mrs. Tinubu’s election took place on Saturday during the 29th Ordinary General Assembly of the organization in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she was named one of the two representatives from West Africa on the committee.
The assembly was convened alongside the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, which runs from February 13 to 16. Mrs. Tinubu joins a distinguished group of leaders on the eight-member steering committee, which includes figures from several African nations. Her election marks a significant recognition of her ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment and child welfare, issues she has been championing since her tenure as Nigeria’s First Lady.
At the same event, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Bio, was elected as the President of OAFLAD, while the First Lady of Angola, Mrs. Ana Lorenzo, was named Vice President. Mrs. Tinubu’s appointment comes as a part of a broader effort by the organization to ensure the effective representation of diverse regions across the African continent. The newly elected committee members represent nations from all corners of Africa, including Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo.
During the election, Mrs. Tinubu expressed her congratulations to Mrs. Bio and pledged her support to the organization’s efforts to improve education and welfare for women and girls in Africa. She reaffirmed her commitment to pushing for greater access to quality education for girls, a core tenet of OAFLAD’s agenda. “I will continue to champion the cause of women and children, particularly in the areas of education, as this is the bedrock for the future of any society,” Tinubu stated during her acceptance.
The election was held against the backdrop of growing conversations on the need for stronger collaborative efforts to address issues facing African women and children, particularly those in marginalized communities. Mrs. Tinubu’s new role in OAFLAD positions her as a key figure in these ongoing efforts. She joins an active and engaged network of African First Ladies dedicated to using their platform to create change across the continent.
The event was also marked by well-wishes and congratulations from other members of OAFLAD, including the organization’s outgoing President and the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Monica Geingos, who congratulated Mrs. Tinubu on her election.
