FACT CHECK: Has OAU Received Oluremi Tinubu’s ₦1bn Donation?

Reports have been circulating about the status of the ₦1 billion donation promised by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The pledge, made on October 10, 2024, was part of her commitment to restoring the university’s horticultural landscape, which she noted had deteriorated over the years due to poor maintenance culture.

During the inauguration of the 2.7-kilometer Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way and a grand pavilion donated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Mrs. Tinubu reminisced about OAU’s once-stunning beauty and emphasized the urgent need for regeneration.

“I will donate ₦1 billion for the OAU horticultural landscape to be restored. Ife is crying out for help. It used to be a beautiful campus, and the beauty must be restored,” she said.

Two months after her announcement, Dtruth Insights sought to verify the status of the donation.

Speaking with the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, on Saturday, it was confirmed that the ₦1 billion has been received by OAU.

“Yes, it has been received and has been used for the purpose of what Her Excellency asked us to use it for,” Mr. Olanrewaju stated.

The confirmation puts to rest speculations regarding the fulfillment of the First Lady’s promise. The funds, according to the university, have been utilized to commence the restoration of OAU’s iconic landscape, aligning with the vision expressed by Senator Tinubu during her visit.

Verdict

This fact-check confirms that the ₦1 billion donation from the First Lady to OAU is not only real but has also been implemented for its intended purpose, as verified by the university authorities.