Awka, Anambra State — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has allocated ₦2.5 billion to support the education and welfare of schoolgirls across the country, as part of her ongoing initiative to promote menstrual health and girl-child empowerment under the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme.
The First Lady announced the intervention during the launch of the South-East edition of the programme at the Anambra State Government House, Awka, on Wednesday, where she also distributed over 10,000 sanitary pads to female students from various secondary schools in the region.
Empowering Schoolgirls Through Health and Education
Senator Tinubu said the ‘Flow with Confidence’ initiative was designed to end period poverty, promote menstrual hygiene management, and ensure that no Nigerian girl misses school because of menstruation.
“We must create a society where every girl can attend school with dignity and confidence,” she said. “This initiative is not just about distributing sanitary pads — it is about restoring self-esteem, improving attendance, and empowering the next generation of Nigerian women.”
The ₦2.5 billion support fund, according to the First Lady, will be channeled through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to provide menstrual hygiene materials, gender-sensitive education programs, and vocational training for adolescent girls in both urban and rural communities.
She emphasized that menstrual hygiene was a critical but often neglected aspect of public health and education policy, and pledged to continue advocating for the inclusion of menstrual health management in the national school curriculum.
Anambra Governor Commends First Lady’s Initiative
Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his wife Mrs. Nonye Soludo, applauded the First Lady for her leadership and compassion toward Nigerian schoolgirls.
“What the First Lady has brought to Anambra today goes beyond material support — it is a message of hope, care, and inclusion,” Mrs. Soludo said. “This programme will not only keep girls in school but also protect their health and dignity.”
The Governor’s wife also expressed readiness to collaborate with the Renewed Hope Initiative to expand the reach of menstrual health campaigns in the South-East, promising to establish school-based sanitary pad banks in partnership with local women’s groups and NGOs.
10,000 Sanitary Pads Distributed in Awka
During the event, 10,000 reusable and disposable sanitary pads were distributed to students drawn from 50 secondary schools across Anambra State. Health experts conducted interactive sessions on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and personal care, while female students participated in question-and-answer forums and awareness workshops.
Medical volunteers from the Federal Ministry of Health and UNFPA Nigeria (United Nations Population Fund) also joined the exercise to provide education on menstrual disorders, infection prevention, and sustainable hygiene practices.
The First Lady encouraged beneficiaries to share what they learned with their peers, creating a ripple effect that would promote healthy practices across communities.
Ending Period Poverty in Nigeria
The ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme forms part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Women Empowerment and Girl-Child Support pillar, launched earlier this year to address gender inequality and access to education.
Data from UNICEF shows that one in ten schoolgirls in sub-Saharan Africa miss classes during their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to sanitary products or safe facilities. This translates to up to 20% loss in school attendance annually among adolescent girls.
Senator Tinubu said the ₦2.5 billion allocation would target these systemic gaps by providing free menstrual kits, upgrading sanitation facilities in schools, and training community health workers to educate families on menstrual hygiene.
“Our girls should not have to choose between their dignity and their education,” she declared. “Through Renewed Hope, we will continue to stand with them.”
Stakeholders Laud Renewed Hope Initiative
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including state commissioners, female legislators, traditional rulers, and civil society leaders.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to gender equality, praising Mrs. Tinubu for “turning compassion into policy.”
“What we are witnessing today is how leadership can directly transform the lives of young girls,” she said. “This is a first-lady who listens, cares, and acts.”
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced that Anambra would integrate menstrual health education into its school curriculum and partner with the First Lady’s office for teacher training.
Voices from the Beneficiaries
Some of the schoolgirls who benefited from the programme shared emotional testimonies.
Chinenye Okafor, a 16-year-old student from Girls Secondary School, Awka, said the event changed her perception of menstrual health.
“Before now, we used pieces of old cloth because pads were expensive. The First Lady has shown us we are not forgotten. I now know how to stay clean and confident during my period,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Blessing Eze, expressed gratitude for the reusable pads and training session.
“They taught us how to take care of ourselves properly. I will also teach my younger sisters,” she added.
Looking Ahead: Expansion Across Nigeria
The ‘Flow with Confidence’ initiative has already been launched in several states, including Lagos, Kano, and Cross River, with plans to reach all 36 states and the FCT before the end of 2026.
Under the ₦2.5 billion plan, each geopolitical zone will receive dedicated funding to equip public schools with menstrual hygiene facilities, conduct health outreach programs, and sponsor girls’ scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Mrs. Tinubu reiterated that the initiative was non-partisan and inclusive, targeting all Nigerian girls irrespective of region, religion, or background.
“Every girl matters — from Sokoto to Enugu, from Lagos to Maiduguri,” she said. “When we invest in girls, we invest in Nigeria’s future.”
Conclusion
With the ₦2.5 billion allocation and the launch of the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme in Anambra, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed her commitment to tackling period poverty and advancing education for Nigerian girls.
The programme’s blend of financial support, health education, and dignity advocacy positions it as one of the largest menstrual health interventions ever led by a Nigerian First Lady.
As the initiative expands nationwide, stakeholders believe it will not only improve school attendance but also empower a new generation of confident, healthy, and educated Nigerian women.
