The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday commissioned the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, a facility designed to inspire young Nigerians to pursue their dreams with purpose, patience and perseverance.
The colourful ceremony, held on the university campus, attracted dignitaries including 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 OAU, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire; royal fathers, university officials and students.
The commissioning marked the formal handover of the Dream Centre, a purpose-built space for storytelling, mentorship and reflection, created to motivate students by showcasing real-life experiences, values and lessons that shape personal growth and leadership.
Addressing students at the event, Senator Tinubu expressed delight that her life journey—shaped by faith, service and determination—had been preserved within a space intentionally created to strengthen the confidence of young people. She explained that the centre was established to remind students not to covet the dreams of others, but to patiently and consistently pursue their own paths.
The First Lady emphasised that the Dream Centre was created for both boys and girls, reflecting her belief in equal encouragement and opportunity for all young people to aspire and grow. She noted that the facility houses inspirational books, including her four-part work The Journey of Grace, which chronicles how divine guidance influenced her life and is intended to serve as a source of motivation and direction for students.
She further recalled that the idea initially began as a modest pavilion but later evolved into the Dream Centre, as she desired a legacy project that would endure and continue to serve generations of students, particularly in a university renowned for producing influential personalities across Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife traced the history of the project to 2019, when he initiated discussions with the university leadership to create a space in honour of Senator Tinubu. He noted that although the proposal initially faced resistance due to institutional traditions, approval was eventually granted for a three-kilometre road to be named Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, a breakthrough that paved the way for the Dream Centre.
The monarch explained that the project suffered delays during the COVID-19 pandemic but was later revived when Senator Tinubu became First Lady, describing the timing as divinely ordained. He praised her commitment to service, describing the Dream Centre as a symbol of perseverance, recognition and collective responsibility to support young Nigerians.
Also speaking, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa said the Dream Centre provides a structured environment where storytelling, learning and reflection come together to inspire resilience, leadership and vision among students. He noted that the centre allows young people to engage meaningfully with real-life narratives that reinforce the belief that dreams can be achieved through steady effort and discipline.
In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Bamire described the commissioning as a milestone for the institution, noting that the Dream Centre complements existing student facilities by offering a dedicated space for inspiration, mentorship and creativity. He said the centre aligns with the university’s commitment to nurturing leaders, innovators and dreamers whose ideas can shape the nation’s future.
The Senator Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre was conceptualised and donated to OAU by the Ooni of Ife, while NITDA provided the IT-enabled devices installed in the facility, reflecting a collaborative effort to invest in youth development.
The event concluded with a guided tour of the centre, as guests and students explored the facility and reflected on its message. Many expressed optimism that the Dream Centre would serve as an enduring reminder that dreams thrive when opportunity meets commitment, and when institutions invest intentionally in the minds and aspirations of young people.
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