The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has decried what she sees as a stark contrast between the honour accorded to Nigerian leaders on the global stage and the hostility they often face from citizens at home.

In a reflective message shared on her social media, Mrs Tinubu argued that many Nigerians have been conditioned to despise their own leaders through what she described as “hate-filled narratives” sponsored by political interests. These narratives, she said, have hardened public attitudes and normalised verbal attacks on those in authority.

Her comments followed international recognition she received at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, where then United States President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged her presence. Addressing an audience of lawmakers, religious figures and foreign dignitaries, Trump introduced her as “a very respected woman” and highlighted her dual role as Nigeria’s First Lady and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

For Mrs Tinubu, that moment underscored a broader pattern: Nigerian leaders, she said, are frequently treated with dignity and respect abroad, even as they are vilified at home. She lamented that many citizens “fail to value what they have” because of entrenched resentment and politically driven messaging.

According to her, this has fuelled a culture of public shaming, particularly on social media, where leaders are routinely insulted, mocked and defined solely by their missteps. She warned that such behaviour erodes national cohesion and distracts from the collective task of building a stable, prosperous country.

Mrs Tinubu insisted that criticism of government is legitimate in a democracy but argued that it should not cross the line into dehumanisation. She urged Nigerians to rediscover a sense of shared purpose, insisting that the nation’s strength lies in unity, mutual respect and a willingness to work together despite political differences.

“Nigeria is built on love, unity and collective effort toward shared success,” she said, calling on citizens to support their leaders while holding them accountable in constructive ways. Only then, she suggested, can the country match the esteem its leaders often enjoy abroad with a more balanced and respectful engagement at home.