…As African First Ladies gather in Banjul to address women’s health and education gaps
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for stronger collaborations and partnerships to enhance healthcare systems, educational access, and family well-being across Nigeria and Africa.
She made the call at the 12th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee Meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia, where African First Ladies convened to discuss key health and social issues affecting women and children across the continent.
Highlighting some of the achievements of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Tinubu said the foundation continues to uplift families through programmes focused on health, education, economic empowerment, social investment, and agriculture.
“These programmes are designed to complement the efforts of my husband, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, towards ensuring a better life for Nigerian families,” she stated.
According to her, the RHI has so far:
• Donated $2 million (naira equivalent) to support advocacy and treatment for cervical cancer and tuberculosis, in a bid to eliminate both diseases by 2030, in collaboration with local and international partners.
• Awarded annual scholarships to 47 indigent university students for three consecutive years.
• Partnered with the Federal Ministry of Education to award 1,500 additional scholarships to indigent students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The Nigerian First Lady commended Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, for the foundation’s continuous support in advancing healthcare capacity in Nigeria.
Through the Merck Foundation, Nigerian doctors have benefited from:
• 14 scholarships for a one-year diploma in fertility and embryology, and a two-year master’s degree in sexual and reproductive care, women’s health, and family medicine.
• 40 scholarships for one-year diploma and two-year master’s programmes in diabetes and endocrinology, preventive cardiovascular medicine, cardiology, and obesity and weight management.
• 3 scholarships in oncology research, medical oncology, and pain management.
Senator Tinubu expressed optimism that the collaboration between RHI and Merck Foundationwill continue to grow, expanding the reach and impact of these life-changing interventions.
The Banjul meeting brought together several African First Ladies, including those from The Gambia (host nation), São Tomé, Central African Republic, Burundi, and Senegal.
Each shared updates on their respective interventions aimed at promoting women’s and children’s health, education, and economic empowerment.
Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to collaborative action, emphasizing that partnerships built on shared values have the power to transform communities and inspire lasting change.
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and the Merck Foundation share a unified vision — a healthier, better-educated, and more empowered Nigeria, and indeed, a stronger Africa.
