First Lady Remi Tinubu Urges Musicians to Cut Luxury Cars, But Her Own Convoy Tells a Different Story

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked a fresh debate after urging top Afrobeats stars like Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake to stop buying luxury cars and instead channel their wealth into charitable foundations to help struggling Nigerians.

Speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank in Lokoja, Kogi State, she acknowledged that owning luxury vehicles like Maybachs and Rolls-Royces is not wrong but stressed that successful individuals must also give back to society. She cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of an entertainer doing great charity work.

“The burden on the government is huge,” she said. “Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.”

But her appeal has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians who pointed out the glaring hypocrisy in her statement.

Arise TV anchor Oseni Rufai responded by sharing a video on X showing a remarkably long convoy of government vehicles. He captioned the post: “The president’s wife says musicians should buy less Ferrari and co and spend more for charity. Can govt officials also reduce their convoy?” The video has sparked widespread discussion online, with voices in the background expressing surprise at the convoy’s length and questioning why such a large motorcade is necessary.

The president’s wife says musicians should buy less Ferrari and co and spend more for charity

Can govt officials also reduce their convoy pic.twitter.com/PEvYiLXFK0

— oseni rufai (@ruffydfire) July 12, 2026

READ MORE: Tinubu and National Assembly Caught Diverting N8.4bn From Almajiri Commission to Roads, Dental Chairs, Solar Lights

The criticism is not without substance. According to a Premium Times investigation, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives operate 11-vehicle fleets, and their convoys alone cost Nigerian taxpayers an estimated N4 billion. With their deputies, the total cost exceeds N7 billion. The vehicles include bulletproof Mercedes-Benz S-Class models valued at over N300 million each, Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, and police power bikes estimated at N30 million each. A Toyota Land Cruiser can cost up to N375 million.

In October 2024, President Bola Tinubu directed ministers and heads of agencies to limit their official convoys to a maximum of three vehicles as part of measures to reduce the cost of governance. A review of the 2026 budget also shows the Presidency plans to spend N3.3 billion on vehicle purchases and replacement, following N5.1 billion spent on vehicles in just 21 days in 2024.

Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, also rejected the First Lady’s stance. He countered that the government must first show fiscal responsibility, questioning why the First Lady previously asked state governors to buy brand-new vehicles for APC women leaders instead of using those public funds to help poor Nigerians.

The contrast could not be starker. While the First Lady asks musicians to buy fewer luxury cars, government officials at the highest levels continue to move around in convoys costing billions of naira. And Nigerians are watching.

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