Oluremi Tinubu Launches Initiative for Girls' Education

On October 12, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, launched an initiative to distribute two million packs of sanitary towels and back-to-school learning materials to girls in public basic education schools across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative aims to ensure that no girl misses school due to menstrual hygiene challenges or lack of educational materials.

Tinubu emphasized the importance of education for national development and highlighted the need to support girls, especially in rural areas. The initiative is implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.

Additionally, Tinubu announced a ₦2 billion Learners Retention Support Programme targeting 100,000 learners, with each receiving ₦20,000 to help with school attendance. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, pledged to institutionalize menstrual hygiene support in basic education interventions, ensuring UBEC includes provisions for sanitary towels in its annual budgets.