Nigeria’s Faith and Power – A Journey Through Religion, Politics, and Society
The private life of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has often been placed under the public microscope, particularly when it comes to his family and their religious identities. As a practising Muslim married to a prominent Christian pastor, the Tinubu household offers a fascinating window into how interfaith families navigate Nigeria’s complex religious landscape.
Contrary to occasional rumours in blogs and social media, President Tinubu has only one wife: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whom he married in 1987. He has frequently described her as his “only wife,” emphasising the strength and exclusivity of their union. As a Muslim, he is permitted under Islamic law to have up to four wives simultaneously, yet he has chosen monogamy throughout his marriage to Oluremi.
The couple have three children together:
- Zainab Abisola Tinubu (Christian)
- Habibat Oyindamola Tinubu (Christian)
- Olayinka Tinubu (raised in the Christian-influenced household, generally aligned with siblings practising Christianity)
These three younger children were brought up under the strong Pentecostal influence of their mother, an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Public statements from the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima have noted that “most” or “some” of his children are practising Christians.
Tinubu also has three older children from previous relationships (not concurrent marriages):
- Folashade Tinubu-Ojo (born 1976, Iyaloja General of Lagos) – generally regarded as Muslim
- Oluwaseyi (Seyi) Tinubu (born 1985, businessman) – described in some sources as nominally Muslim, though family references sometimes include him among those practising Christianity
- Kazeem Olajide Tinubu (born 1974, deceased 2017) – limited public information on his religious practice
The religious diversity within the family reflects broader Nigerian realities, especially in the South West where Muslim-Christian intermarriages and fluid identities are common among the Yoruba. No reports suggest that the President has ever pressured his wife or children to convert; instead, he has highlighted mutual respect as a cornerstone of their home.
During the 2023 campaign, when concerns arose over the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Tinubu pointed to his own family as proof of his commitment to religious tolerance: a Muslim father, Christian mother, and children spanning both faiths living harmoniously. The First Lady has similarly promoted unity, urging Nigerians to embrace dialogue over division.
In a country where religious identity can shape political allegiance, the Tinubu family stands as a high-profile example of coexistence – one that both supporters and critics reference when discussing the boundaries of faith and public life in Nigeria.
References: Official family statements from the Presidency; interviews with President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima (2022–2023); biographical profiles in Nigerian media (Premium Times, The Nation); public records on children’s roles and titles.
Next Episode: Tinubu’s Record on Terrorism and Christian Persecution Claims
(Examining the President’s and First Lady’s statements and actions regarding ISIS/ISWAP in Nigeria, Boko Haram, and international allegations of Christian persecution)