ABUJA: Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has taken a swipe at Nigerians who she believes have failed to recognise the country’s progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that they need what she described as “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses” to see the administration’s achievements.

The First Lady made the remark on Friday during the inauguration of the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots political mobilisation group campaigning for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu maintained that developments were taking place across the country, suggesting that some Nigerians were simply not seeing the changes.

“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,” she said.

Her comment comes amid growing political debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration, with supporters highlighting ongoing developments and government reforms, while critics continue to raise concerns about economic hardship, the cost of living and other national challenges.

Mrs Tinubu pointed to improvements at Nigerian airports as one of the developments she believes reflect changes under the current administration.

Expressing her desire for more convenient travel, she said she had observed changes at the country’s airports.

“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 stated.

Her remarks placed infrastructure development and improvements in public facilities at the centre of her defence of the administration’s performance.

However, the statement did not provide specific airport projects, completion figures or performance indicators to quantify the improvements she referenced.

The First Lady’s reference to “JigiBola” drew attention to an eye-care programme associated with President Tinubu’s time as governor of Lagos State.

The Jigi-Bola initiative was introduced in 2001 to provide eye-care services, including free eye screening, eyeglasses and surgery. The programme was subsequently relaunched by the Lagos State Government in 2021.

Mrs Tinubu used the initiative as a metaphor in her remarks, suggesting that Nigerians who do not recognise the administration’s achievements may need a different perspective.

The expression has since become a notable feature of the political conversatio

The First Lady also spoke about her hopes for life after leaving the Presidential Villa, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future beyond the current presidential tenure.

She said she hoped to leave Aso Rock in 2031 and enjoy a better Nigeria as an older woman.

“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.

Her remarks reflect her expectation of a future Nigeria in which citizens can enjoy improved living conditions and greater national progress.

At the event, Mrs Tinubu formally commissioned the Abuja campaign headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, expressing support for the President’s second-term ambition.

“So to the glory of God, and for the victory of Mr President come 2027, I hereby formally commission the PBAT door-to-door movement campaign headquarters Abuja,” she declared.

She also expressed support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the movement’s convener, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The movement is expected to contribute to grassroots mobilisation as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.

The First Lady’s comments come as political activities surrounding the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, with the APC seeking to defend its record and strengthen support for Tinubu’s re-election.

While government supporters point to reforms, infrastructure development and ongoing projects as signs of progress, Nigerians continue to debate whether these developments have translated into meaningful improvements in household welfare and purchasing power.

The administration’s economic policies, inflationary pressures, fuel costs, employment opportunities and security challenges are likely to remain important issues in the political contest.

Ultimately, the question of progress will be judged not only by visible projects but also by how Nigerians experience changes in their daily lives

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