Meet Nigeria's new First Lady: Aisha Buhari

What you need to know about the wife of the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari

FIRST LADY: Aisha Buhari

SHE WAS one of the first people to congratulate her husband, General Muhammadu Buhari, on winning the Nigerian Presidential elections.

As the news broke out yesterday (Mar 31), a proud Aisha Buhari, who recently joined Twitter, tweeted: "I am so proud of my husband and the team who have worked hard to make this happen."

Once Muhammadu officially becomes President of Nigeria, Aisha will be the country's new First Lady.

Here's some interesting facts about the woman behind Nigeria's soon-to-be most powerful man:

Childhood

Aisha Halilu was born in Adamawa state in the family of the first Minister of defence, Mohammadu Ribadu. She speaks English and Arabic fluently.

Family

General Buhari’s married his first wife Hajiya Safinatu when he was 18 in 1971. They divorced in 1988, and a year later, Muhammadu got remarried to Aisha. They have five children together, a boy and four girls - Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zarah and Amina. Muhammadu also has five children from the first marriage.

On her husband, Aisha said: "I have been married to Muhammadu Buhari for twenty five years now and we are blessed with children and a grandchild.

"My husband is a family-oriented person. He has very close relationships with his children, grandchild, and entire members of the family. He is very caring and protective of us."

Education

She graduated from the famous Ahmadu Bello university where she earned a bachelors degree in Public administration. She also has a post-graduate diploma in cosmetology and beauty, which she received from the Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France.

Becoming First Lady

In a recent interview, Aisha said: "I don’t think there is need for any special preparation to be in the spotlight as wife of the president, because I will be like any other woman.

However, for the kind of preparation you are referring to, having been married to a former president for over 25 years, and knowing his principles and what he believes as an honest and upright person, I will only pursue issues that will promote the welfare of the masses."