TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE ROLLS OUT ONE-YEAR PAD SUPPLY FOR STUDENTS

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday launched the Flow With Confidence sanitary pad distribution initiative in Akure, Ondo State, aimed at empowering 370,000 schoolgirls across the country with a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads.

The event, held at The Dome Event Centre, Akure, brought together students from across the state to benefit from the menstrual hygiene intervention designed to boost girls’ confidence, curb school absenteeism, and promote reproductive health.

Represented by the Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Senator Tinubu said the initiative—implemented under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)—was created to address period poverty in rural communities and ensure no girl misses school due to lack of menstrual hygiene products.

According to her, each state of the federation, including the FCT, will receive 10,000 packs of sanitary pads to be distributed through State First Ladies and RHI coordinators. She cautioned that the pads are strictly for beneficiaries and must not be sold.

“We will be distributing one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the nation. This support is designed for girls who cannot afford sanitary pads and often resort to unsafe alternatives,” she said.

She added that disposable pads were chosen due to their hygienic advantage, stressing that menstrual health must never derail a girl’s education.
“No girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education,” she said.

The First Lady also charged local government chairmen and their wives to ensure the intervention reaches eligible girls in remote communities.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Oluwaseun Osamaye, described the programme as a national statement on the importance of menstrual health. She applauded Senator Tinubu for prioritizing the dignity and well-being of young girls and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enabling such impactful initiatives.

“Today’s programme is more than an act of generosity; it is a bold declaration that menstrual health is a right, not a privilege,” Osamaye said.
She noted that Ondo State had recently distributed 5,000 sanitary pads to secondary school girls under the Tech A Girl, Pad A Girl Child Initiative to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.

She said the new national distribution further consolidates the state’s ongoing efforts to eliminate period poverty and keep girls in school.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, commended Senator Tinubu for launching a programme that strengthens the confidence of girls and supports their educational journey. He also appreciated Mrs. Aiyedatiwa for her unwavering commitment to issues affecting girls in the state.

The Flow With Confidence programme forms part of the broader RHI strategy focusing on education, health, economic empowerment, social investment, and agriculture, with the overall aim of building dignity and confidence among Nigerian girls.