The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday commissioned the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, marking a significant milestone in youth inspiration and mentorship within the university community.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; wives of some state governors; the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE; the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire; royal fathers, university officials, and students.
Held on the university campus, the event marked the formal handover of the Dream Centre, a facility designed to motivate students through storytelling, mentorship, and reflection. The centre captures the purpose behind its creation, the audience it serves, and its expected impact on students’ personal and academic development.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady expressed delight that her life story—shaped by faith, service, and determination—had been preserved in a space intentionally created to strengthen the confidence of young Nigerians. She noted that the centre was established to remind students not to covet the dreams of others but to walk patiently with their own, affirming that the journey toward achievement requires discipline and consistency.
Senator Tinubu, who received a warm reception from students, emphasised that the Dream Centre was created for both boys and girls, reflecting her belief that every young person deserves equal encouragement to aspire and grow.
She explained that the centre houses inspirational books, including her four-part work titled The Journey of Grace, written to show how God’s guidance shaped her path and to offer students a resource for motivation and direction.
The First Lady further recalled that she had originally proposed a modest pavilion but later renamed and expanded the vision into the Dream Centre because she wanted something that would outlive her and serve as a lasting legacy for students. She expressed joy that the centre had finally become a reality, particularly in a university renowned for producing influential personalities across the nation.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife recounted the history of the project, explaining that the idea originated in 2019 when he approached the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Ogumbore, and Dr. Akio Adijuwa, to request a space within the university to honour Senator Tinubu. He noted that the university senate initially resisted the proposal due to its tradition of reserving such recognition for the institution’s founding fathers.
The monarch explained that after prolonged deliberations, approval was eventually granted for a three-kilometre road to be named Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, describing it as a significant breakthrough that laid the foundation for the Dream Centre.
According to him, the project experienced delays during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 before being revived when Senator Tinubu became First Lady—a development he described as divine timing. He praised “Mama,” as he fondly called her, describing her as a woman whose endeavours flourish and whose service to the nation continues to inspire.
He reiterated that “the Dream Centre was not built for girls alone but for all students,” stressing the importance of equal opportunity and shared access to mentorship. While expressing satisfaction that the project had finally come to fruition despite earlier resistance, the monarch noted that the Dream Centre symbolises “perseverance, recognition and collective commitment to supporting young Nigerians.”
Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre Positioned as Hub for Mentorship and Vision
Also speaking, the NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the Dream Centre as a space where storytelling, learning, and reflection converge to help students understand the values of resilience, leadership, and vision.
He emphasised that the centre allows young people to engage with Senator Tinubu’s life story in a structured environment designed to motivate them and reinforce the belief that dreams can be achieved through steady effort. Inuwa highlighted the importance of providing spaces that encourage young people to visualise their goals clearly and grow through guidance grounded in real-life experiences.
He described the Dream Centre as “a space where students can explore narratives that challenge them to develop patience, strength and confidence in their capabilities.”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the commissioning as a milestone for the institution, noting that the Dream Centre stands beside the hostel as a dedicated space to inspire students to dream higher and achieve excellence.
He said, “this centre is part of broader interventions that support academic and community life on campus,” adding that it would continue to serve as a source of motivation, creativity, and mentorship for students. According to him, the centre ensures that the life and story of Senator Oluremi Tinubu remain accessible for generations.
He further stated that the project aligns with the university’s commitment to nurturing leaders, innovators, and dreamers whose aspirations can shape the nation. He noted that the Dream Centre was designed to help students embrace storytelling as a tool for inspiration, reminding them that progress often requires resilience and a willingness to learn from those who have walked the path before.
The Vice Chancellor added that the centre’s establishment reflects the university’s dedication to providing students with resources that strengthen their academic, moral, and emotional growth, describing it as a “gift for the future—a place where dreams can take shape.”
The Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre building was conceptualised and donated to the university by the Ooni of Ife, while NITDA supplied the IT-enabled devices used in the facility, demonstrating the collaborative effort that brought the project to life.
As the event climaxed, stakeholders were led on a tour of the facility, where they explored the materials available and reflected on the messages shared during the commissioning. Their excitement reflected a shared belief that the Dream Centre had arrived at a critical moment in students’ academic journeys.
Guests departed with the conviction that the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre would remain an enduring reminder that dreams become possible when commitment meets opportunity, and when institutions invest in the minds and aspirations of young people. The commissioning concluded with the shared belief that the centre represents not just a structure, but a vision realised, one that will influence how students think, grow, and pursue excellence for years to come.
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