In a notable moment of diplomatic warmth at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged and warmly praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a “very respected woman” and highlighting her role as a Christian pastor.
The event, held on February 5, 2026, at the Washington Hilton on Capitol Hill, brought together U.S. political leaders, members of Congress, religious figures, and international dignitaries for a day of prayer, reflection, and discussions on faith and leadership.
During his address, President Trump paused to recognize Mrs. Tinubu’s presence in the audience. He invited her to stand, prompting applause from attendees.
“We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at one of the largest churches,” Trump said.
The remarks were captured on video and quickly circulated across Nigerian and international media outlets, including Channels Television, Arise News, Vanguard, Punch, BusinessDay, and TVC News.
Mrs. Tinubu, an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal denominations attended the breakfast as part of her visit to Washington, D.C. Her trip aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria–U.S. relations, particularly on issues of religious freedom, security, and counter terrorism.
Speaking at a related International Religious Summit in Washington, the First Lady described President Trump’s emphasis on protecting Christians globally as “divine intervention.” She said the focus presented an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties and address insecurity and terrorism affecting Nigeria.
The acknowledgment comes amid a complex backdrop in U.S.–Nigeria relations. In late 2025, the Trump administration designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues, a move the Nigerian government disputed as inaccurate. More recently, U.S. military strikes targeted terrorist positions in Nigeria around Christmas 2025. Nigerian officials have sought to clarify perceptions of religious violence in the country, including through lobbying efforts in Washington.
President Trump’s public praise was widely viewed in Nigeria as a positive diplomatic signal and a potential step toward improved engagement under the current U.S. administration. Some analysts suggested it reflected successful soft-power diplomacy, leveraging Mrs. Tinubu’s prominent faith leadership to reset ties after periods of tension.
The National Prayer Breakfast, an annual bipartisan gathering dating back to the 1950s, traditionally emphasizes unity, faith, and moral leadership. This year’s event provided a high-profile platform for international faith figures, with Mrs. Tinubu’s recognition standing out as one of the more prominent acknowledgments of a foreign dignitary.
No formal bilateral meeting between President Trump and Mrs. Tinubu was reported beyond the public interaction at the breakfast, though her presence and the president’s comments have sparked optimism in Abuja about renewed cooperation on shared priorities.
As Nigeria and the United States navigate ongoing security and religious freedom discussions, Thursday’s exchange at the prayer breakfast is being seen as a symbolic gesture of mutual respect between the two nations’ leaders and their representatives.