Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women seeking public office to pursue higher education and develop the competence needed to serve effectively in leadership positions.

Speaking on Monday while hosting state and zonal women leaders of the All Progressives Congress at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said the constitutional requirement for public office may only be a school certificate, but education remains essential for effective leadership.

“I tell people that the minimum requirement to run for an office is just a school certificate. But what is good is to have a lot of education,” she said.

The First Lady also encouraged women to strengthen grassroots engagement and maintain close relationships with constituents, stressing that political success depends largely on building trust and accessibility.

Drawing from her experience as a three-term senator representing Lagos State, she said consistent interaction with constituents helped her political journey.

She explained that she regularly organised town hall meetings and maintained strong grassroots structures throughout her years in office.

Mrs Tinubu warned that some politicians lose touch with the people after winning elections, adding that effective leadership requires constant engagement and mentorship.

She further advised women in politics to combine their political ambitions with strong family values and responsible parenting.

According to her, many social challenges confronting the country begin in the home, stressing that women must play active roles in raising disciplined children while pursuing political careers.

The First Lady also appealed to governors to support the APC women’s wing with logistics such as buses, to strengthen grassroots mobilisation across the country.

Speaking on the economy, she defended the Federal Government’s investment in road and rail infrastructure, saying the projects were aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity nationwide.

Earlier, the APC National Women Leader, Mary Alile, announced that newly elected state and zonal women leaders had joined the party’s national structure.

She added that the party had also launched the “Tinubu Torchbearers,” a mobilisation platform designed to strengthen grassroots engagement and political participation ahead of future elections.