Singer Teni pushes past security to meet First Lady Remi Tinubu during an International Women’s Day event in Akwa Ibom

Nigerian singer and songwriter Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, drew widespread attention after pushing past security personnel to approach First Lady Remi Tinubu during a live performance in Akwa Ibom State.

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The moment occurred at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium during an event marking International Women’s Day 2026, where the Afrobeats star performed before a large audience that included top government officials.

In a video that quickly circulated online, Teni was seen performing her 2018 hit single Case before moving toward the VIP section, where dignitaries including the First Lady, Governor Umo Eno, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio were seated.

Security operatives initially attempted to prevent the singer from entering the restricted area. However, footage showed the performer eventually pushing past the orderlies and gaining access to the section.

Once there, Teni interacted with the dignitaries while continuing her performance, encouraging Akpabio and Eno to sing along before switching to another popular track, Uyo Meyo.

A separate clip captured the singer kneeling briefly before the First Lady, a gesture that drew cheers from parts of the audience.

The incident has since sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users criticised the security personnel for being overly strict, others argued that the operatives were simply enforcing standard protocols designed to protect high-profile public officials.

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Despite the debate, the dramatic moment added a memorable highlight to the International Women’s Day celebration and further amplified online discussions around celebrity performances and security procedures at high-profile public events.