First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged Nigerians to place peace, empathy and unity at the centre of their actions as the country begins 2026. In a New Year message themed “2026: Hope on the Horizon,” she called on citizens to make deliberate choices that protect the most vulnerable and build opportunities that allow every Nigerian to live with dignity.
Nigeria New Year message urges investment in children and women
Addressing the nation, Mrs Tinubu stressed that national progress depends on collective compassion and inclusive action. She urged renewed investment in children, women and other vulnerable groups, arguing that protecting and empowering these populations is essential for long-term development and social stability.
“As we embrace this New Year, let us choose peace, empathy, unity and continue to invest in the wellbeing of our children, women and the vulnerable among us,” she said, emphasising the role of individual responsibility in advancing national goals. The First Lady encouraged citizens to create opportunities within their immediate environments so that communities can thrive without waiting for distant interventions.
The message reflected on the resilience shown across Nigeria during the outgoing year. Mrs Tinubu offered gratitude for the strength and creativity displayed by people in every sector, saying those qualities inspire confidence in a better tomorrow. She described the daily sacrifices of women, men and young people who support families and communities as the true foundation of national progress.
Beyond urging social investment, the First Lady called for a practical focus on dignity and opportunity. She asked Nigerians to take ownership of development in their localities, to seek ways of supporting neighbours and to encourage policies and programmes that widen access to education, healthcare and economic participation, particularly for marginalised groups.
Mrs Tinubu also spoke directly to the Nigerian diaspora, extending goodwill and encouragement to citizens living abroad. She urged those overseas to remain connected to the country’s development and to use their skills and networks to contribute to national progress.
Her New Year appeal combined moral exhortation with pragmatic direction. By linking peace and empathy to concrete investment in children and women, the First Lady sought to shift national conversation towards sustained social support as a strategy for stability and growth. The emphasis on local action and dignity aligns with broader calls for community-driven development that can complement federal initiatives.
Concluding her address, Mrs Tinubu reaffirmed her optimism about Nigeria’s future. “I believe in Nigeria and we should all invest in what she can become,” she said, calling on citizens to work together to turn promise into reality. She wished Nigerians at home and in the diaspora a peaceful and prosperous New Year, invoking faith and hope as drivers of renewal.
The message is likely to resonate with civic organisations, social sector groups and community leaders who have long advocated for stronger support for children, women and vulnerable populations. As the year begins, the call to pair national optimism with concrete social investment sets a practical agenda for those seeking to translate goodwill into measurable outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
- First Lady Oluremi Tinubu urges Nigerians to choose peace, empathy and unity in her 2026 Nigeria New Year message.
- She called for renewed investment in children, women and the vulnerable as a foundation for national progress.
- The First Lady encouraged local ownership of development and lauded Nigerians’ resilience over the past year.
- She extended goodwill to citizens at home and abroad, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s collective future.
