Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has suggested that Nigerians who fail to recognise progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration may need what she called “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses”.
She made the remark on Friday, October 23, 2026, during the inauguration of the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots political organisation mobilising support for the President’s re-election bid in 2027.
“So things are happening in Nigeria, except, you know, those who don’t see; maybe we’ll give them some, you know, Bola Tinubu eyeglasses. We are doing that, JigiBola,” the First Lady said.
Her remarks framed the administration’s progress as something Nigerians should recognise, while the event marked another step in the movement’s efforts to expand its grassroots mobilisation network ahead of the next presidential election.
Remi Tinubu cites airport improvements
The First Lady pointed to changes at Nigerian airports as an example of progress, saying she wanted to travel more quickly.
“I want to get to the airport. I want to travel, you know, so quickly. And you can see our airports too are changing,” she said.
She also expressed hope that Nigeria would be a country she could enjoy after leaving the Presidential Villa in 2031.
“I want to leave Aso Rock, in 2031, by the grace of God, and enter a Nigeria that me as a 70-something-year-old woman will enjoy,” she said.
The remarks come as the administration continues to promote its Renewed Hope Agenda, while Nigerians contend with economic pressures and debate the effects of government policies.
The First Lady did not provide specific figures in the remarks cited by the reports to quantify the airport improvements or the broader progress she referenced.
Jigi-Bola reference
The First Lady’s “JigiBola” remark referred to an eye-care initiative associated with her husband’s tenure as Lagos State governor.
The programme was introduced in 2001 to provide services including eye screening, eyeglasses and surgery, and was relaunched by the Lagos State Government in 2021.
By invoking the initiative, she used the idea of eyeglasses as a metaphor for helping people recognise what she views as positive developments under the current administration.
Movement targets grassroots mobilisation
At the event, Mrs Tinubu formally commissioned the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’s Abuja headquarters and expressed support for her husband’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The movement is convened by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who serves as its grand patron. The group says it intends to take the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda directly to households and communities through grassroots engagement.
The new Abuja office is expected to coordinate activities in the Federal Capital Territory and support the group’s nationwide mobilisation programme. The movement has said its approach involves engagement with residents in communities, markets, workplaces and other public spaces.
Mrs Tinubu urged campaigners to communicate the administration’s policies and opportunities, particularly to young Nigerians seeking employment, while emphasising messages of hope, peace, unity and development.
She also expressed support for the All Progressives Congress and the movement’s campaign activities ahead of the 2027 election.
The inauguration adds to political mobilisation efforts taking shape ahead of the next general election, as parties and support groups seek to communicate their messages and build public backing.
