First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has said no Nigerian girl should be denied the opportunity to learn and fulfil her potential because of menstrual hygiene challenges or a family’s inability to provide basic educational materials.
Mrs Tinubu stated this on Monday when she flagged off the distribution of two million packs of sanitary towels and back-to-school learning materials to girls in public basic education schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The intervention, tagged Flow with Confidence 2.0, is being implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
According to a statement by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady described access to education as essential to national development, saying the initiative was aimed at removing barriers that force girls, particularly those in rural communities, to miss school during menstruation.
“Keeping our girls in school requires us to recognise and address the challenges that affect their education, especially those in rural communities, who often miss school because they do not have access to sanitary products,” she said.
She announced a N2 billion Learners Retention Support Programme targeting 100,000 learners in its first phase, with each beneficiary to receive N20,000 to help overcome financial barriers to attendance and retention.
Speaking at the State House Conference Centre, Mrs Tinubu said the programme builds on the initial Flow with Confidence initiative launched by her Renewed Hope Initiative on October 2, 2025, which provided a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities.
She welcomed the decision of the Federal Ministry of Education, through UBEC, to take over and expand the programme, saying the distribution of sanitary towels alongside learning materials would help girls return to school with confidence and dignity.
She charged state First Ladies, commissioners for education and chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards to ensure transparent and accountable distribution to intended beneficiaries.
She also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to challenge stigma around menstruation and encourage families to support girls’ education.
“To our beloved girls across Nigeria, I encourage you to believe in your dreams, stay in school, work hard, speak up when you need help. I want you to grow into confident and courageous women ready to contribute meaningfully to our nation. Nigeria is counting on you and I believe in you,” she said.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government is taking steps to make menstrual hygiene support a sustained component of basic education interventions, pledging to institutionalise the programme through UBEC and the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE.
“Today, we are translating that pledge into practical action. UBEC will make provision within its annual budgets to support the supply of sanitary towels to girls in public basic education schools,” he said, noting that the initial target of 370,000 girls had been achieved.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the initiative represents a commitment to protecting the dignity of the girl child.