The Wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday unveiled Nigeria’s First Baby of the Year 2026 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
The baby, Zion Adakole, was born exactly at midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, to Mr and Mrs Celestine Adakole. He was delivered through a caesarean section to his 26-year-old mother, Mrs Patience Adakole, who is a first-time mother.
As part of her long-standing tradition of promoting maternal and child healthcare, the First Lady presented a National Birth Certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) to the newborn, officially recognising him as Nigeria’s First Baby of the Year.
She also presented gift items and cash to Zion, a gesture that was extended to other babies delivered at the hospital.
Hospital management confirmed that Zion Adakole was the first baby born at the facility in 2026.
Mrs Tinubu described the birth as symbolic, noting that it represented not only the beginning of a new year but also the promise of new beginnings for the nation.
She extended goodwill and support to three other babies born on Jan. 1, as well as a set of quadruplets delivered to Mr and Mrs Blessing Oragwu after 13 years of waiting.
The First Lady reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where every Nigerian child can thrive and reach their full potential.
During the visit, she held the newborns, offered prayers for the babies, their parents and the nation, and encouraged parents to cherish and nurture their children, describing them as blessings and future leaders.
Mrs Tinubu also urged Nigerians to show compassion by sharing with others, stressing that improving the welfare of the less privileged is a collective responsibility.
The visit is expected to extend to other hospitals within the Federal Capital Territory, including the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Aminu Yusuf; and other dignitaries accompanied the First Lady during the visit.