First Lady Commissions Dream Centre at OAU

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday commissioned the Oluremi Tinubu Dream Centre at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, calling on Nigerian youths to dream big, work hard, and remain committed to turning their aspirations into reality.

The Dream Centre, a digital library built by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in honour of the First Lady and digitised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was described by Senator Tinubu as a major milestone in her lifelong commitment to inspiring future generations.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady said the centre was designed to serve as a modern hub for learning, mentorship, and innovation. She explained that it reflects the power of dreams, imagination, and inspiration as tools for personal growth and social change.

According to her, the facility includes a mentorship room, library, digital museum, dream room, innovation hub, studio, and a tech garden, all integrated to support creativity and purposeful learning. She urged young people to make use of the centre to build and pursue their dreams with discipline and focus.

Sharing personal reflections, Senator Tinubu recounted her own journey, noting that she had always dreamt of becoming a teacher and achieved it, but continued to set new goals in life. She encouraged youths, especially young girls, to believe in their potential and allow faith, hard work, and perseverance to guide them.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife said the Dream Centre was inspired by the First Lady’s enduring legacy of service and impact on humanity. He described her as a mother figure whose life and values continue to motivate initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerian youths.

“What was once a pavilion for students has now been transformed into a higher-purpose facility a Dream Centre and innovative space where young Nigerians can dare to dream,” the monarch said.

The event also featured the fulfilment of a promise made by the First Lady during the university’s postgraduate convocation ceremony in 2025, as she handed over 50 brand new shuttle buses and 40 tricycles to the management of OAU to enhance campus transportation and improve student welfare.

The intervention follows her earlier donation of one billion naira to the university in October 2024, reinforcing her continued support for her alma mater.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by university officials, traditional rulers, government representatives, students, and other stakeholders, marking a significant addition to OAU’s academic and innovation infrastructure.