The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, arrived in Ado-Ekiti this morning, Saturday, May 30, 2026, for a high-profile one-day working visit aimed at educational empowerment and political mobilization.
Accompanied by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, alongside several state First Ladies and top government officials, the President’s wife was received at the Ekiti Airport by the state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, and his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji.
The multi-activity tour combines grassroots digital advancement through her signature foundation with frontline political support ahead of the state’s upcoming gubernatorial contest.
Empowerment Meets Campaign Mobilization
The First Lady’s itinerary is strategically structured to balance infrastructure commissions, traditional diplomacy, and party campaign activities:
- Inaugurating the EKSU ICT Centre: Senator Tinubu officially commissioned a newly built, state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. The modern facility was fully facilitated and funded by her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to boost digital literacy and technological research for the institution’s students.
- Flagging off the APC Women’s Rally: Moving from the campus to the political arena, the First Lady served as the grand matron at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion to officially flag off the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Rally, heavily backing Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
- Royal Consultations: Demonstrating cultural respect, the First Lady also held a closed-door interactive meeting with traditional rulers under the umbrella of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers’ Council to discuss regional development and social stability.
The Renewed Hope Footprint in Ekiti State
The commissioning of the EKSU ICT hub marks yet another milestone in the federal government’s localized social investment strategy. Since 2023, the First Lady’s foundation has significantly scaled its interventions across the state’s three senatorial districts.
| Target Demographic | Strategic RHI Operational Interventions (2023–2026) | Localized Economic & Academic Impact |
| Students & Youth | Commissioning of the EKSU ICT Centre; provision of targeted tertiary education grants. | Upgrading campus digital infrastructure; expanding tech-skill acquisition pathways. |
| Women & Small Businesses | Distribution of financial capital, MSME point-of-sale support, and business equipment. | Boosting micro-commerce and strengthening household income in rural communities. |
| Farmers & PWDs | Delivery of agricultural inputs, high-yield seedlings, and specialized disability mobility aids. | Enhancing local food production capacity and fostering social inclusion for vulnerable citizens. |
“Our administration is deeply committed to ensuring that our youths are not left behind in the global digital economy. This ICT centre is a physical promise fulfilled to the students of Ekiti State University. Beyond the technology, we are here to support a government that works for its people—Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated true leadership, and the women of Ekiti are standing firmly behind continuity.” — Insight from the First Lady’s Working Visit Address
The Political Context: June 20 Election Beckons
The high-profile visit arrives at a critical juncture for the state’s political landscape, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having fixed the Ekiti State governorship election for June 20.
By leading the women’s campaign rally alongside the wives of several sitting governors, Senator Tinubu has effectively mobilized the party’s formidable female base. Local political analysts note that anchoring the campaign kick-off around concrete community projects like the RHI ICT center gives the ruling APC a powerful campaign narrative, framing Governor Oyebanji’s re-election bid around tangible development rather than mere political rhetoric.
