By Abdulkareem Haruna

In a major push to support girl child education, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a menstrual health initiative valued at over N2.5 billion.  

The “Flow with Confidence” program aims to distribute a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls across the nation.

The initiative is a major effort under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s education framework aimed at promoting girl child education in the country.

According to the First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice president, Her Excellency Nana Shettima, the project will directly benefit 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities who often miss school due to an inability to afford sanitary products. 

Recent studies, especially in Borno state and other northern parts of the country indicated that many girls drop out of school at the age of puberty either for the shame of menstruation and messing up their bodies or lack access to sanitary pads.

Her Excellency, Nana Shettima, the deputy governor and Shehu of Borno at the event

According to the First Lady, the total cost of the project is N2,550,297,150, which was used to procure the pads from a local manufacturer in Lagos State. Each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will receive 10,000 packs of pads for distribution.

The program addresses the critical issue of girls dropping out of school or falling behind in their studies because of their menstrual cycle. Many resort to unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, a trend the initiative seeks to end. By providing a one-year supply of pads, the program aims to ensure that no girl has to choose between her dignity and her education.

The launch took place simultaneously in seven states—Borno, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos—with other states set to follow as supplies became available.  The First Lady handed over 10,000 packs of pads to the First Lady of Borno State, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, for distribution to 10,000 deserving girls in the state.

The initiative highlights a commitment to empowering young girls, with an emphasis on local manufacturing to support the Nigerian economy.

The First Lady urged local government chairmen, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to take ownership of the program and ensure the pads are distributed directly to the intended beneficiaries and not sold.

This is not the first initiative under the Renewed Hope program. The First Lady also announced other upcoming and ongoing projects, including an economic empowerment program providing grants to women and support for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The event was attended by the Borno state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who was represented by his deputy Governor, Dr Usman Umar Kadafur, the first lady of Borno who was the chief host, as well as the Shehu of Borno, His Majesty Abubakar Garbai Al-Ameen Elkanemi amongst other notable people.