A viral video circulating on social media on Wednesday captured students of the Delta State School of Nursing rejecting Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as their “mother” during her visit to the state.
The First Lady was in Delta as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a project aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians. During the visit, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori commended her efforts, highlighting the transformation taking place in the health sector under her leadership.
As part of the event, professional kits were distributed to the wives of South-South governors, who serve as RHI coordinators in their respective states. The First Lady also met with traditional rulers, including the Orodje of Okpe, retired Major General Felix Mujak Peruo.
However, one particular moment from the event has sparked widespread social media reactions.
In the viral clip, the event’s Master of Ceremony introduced Oluremi Tinubu as “everyone’s mother,” a title commonly given to First Ladies. However, nursing students in attendance immediately rejected the statement.
When the MC declared, “Na our mama be this” (translated as “This is our mother”), the students responded in unison, “Na your mama be this” (translated as “This is your mother”), signaling their refusal to accept the designation.
The exact reason for the students’ reaction remains unclear, but the incident comes amid growing frustration over economic hardship, insecurity, and rising living costs under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Many Nigerians have voiced concerns over food scarcity, inflation, and other economic challenges, which have fueled public dissatisfaction.
The video has since gone viral, generating mixed reactions across social media platforms.