The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has faced a backlash after it wished Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, a happy 40th birthday on its X page.
Seyi turned 40 on October 13, with prominent Nigerians and members of the political class dispatching congratulatory messages his way.
Tinubu praised his son’s “commitment to transforming ideas into institutions”, highlighting his “determination and leadership qualities”.
Similarly, Said Alkali, the minister of transportation, described Seyi as a “dynamic leader and a bridge between generations”, commending his “achievements and passion for national development”.
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Amid these tributes, the NIMC posted birthday wishes on its official X account, attributed to Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the agency’s director-general.
“May God bless you with wisdom, favour and lasting joy. This milestone marks the start of even greater achievements ahead. The best is yet to come,” the message reads.
The post sparked mixed reactions on the microblogging platform, with some users criticising the government agency for using its official account to celebrate the president’s son.
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Critics argued that such messages from a government institution could be seen as inappropriate or sycophantic.
Here are some reactions.
@EngrAbisoye My dear DG, gestures like this are best done personally, not via the Agency. It keeps the line between personal goodwill and institutional neutrality clear..more dignified, and less open to controversy.
— Safiya Stephanie Musa (@QueenSaphyGSFR) October 14, 2025
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This is how they belittle every institutions in Nigeria. You can be loyal and show loyalty without dragging the institution’s reputation, the anyhow in this country are just too much
— Love_leads.ink. | 𝔽rAI.base.eth (@LoveLove4104) October 14, 2025
April 30th is my birthday, if NIMC didn’t wish me happy birthday that day, I go swear for all of una, including the handler of these page and una DG.
Don’t forget, April 30th every year! 👂👂
Nti adikwa?— Ogochukwu Monyei (@ogokmc) October 14, 2025
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And the Minister of Interior approved this?
This is all shades of wrong.
Wish whoever you want to a happy birthday but don’t compromise the trust of the Nigerian people. Don’t do it on an official page. It is wrong.— Olúwa Ṣeun (@EarlOfEkiti_) October 14, 2025
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Government agencies now felicitating with a private citizen that’s not even a member of staffs in that agency.
This height of misconduct is unacceptable.
Advertisement— Cardinal (@CardinalStation) October 14, 2025
Why is a federal office wishing the president’s son happy birthday? What constitutional office does he hold?
Well… It’s not like I am surprisedAdvertisement— Shemaiah Gaza (@_SDGaza) October 14, 2025
It gives the impression that the President and his family control the entire country. When official government institutions start sending birthday wishes to the president’s son, we might as well expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to wish Seyi Tinubu HBD
— OMO ODOFIN OWA 🎯🎯🎯☮️ (@wale_wellington) October 14, 2025
You know what’s most painful about these guys, their platform has never worked for over 2 years now. There is always one bug or the other, and yet they have insiders who know how to access data that ordinary people cannot access in exchange for money. I’m tired of complaining.
— Jackson Jackson🪙 (@kodedjackson) October 14, 2025
