By Prosper Mene
Banjul, The Gambia – October 15, 2025
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, today urged African leaders and international partners to forge deeper collaborations aimed at closing persistent gaps in health and education, emphasizing that such alliances could restore hope to millions of families across the continent.
Speaking at the 12th edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee Meeting in Banjul, Senator Tinubu highlighted the transformative potential of shared efforts, particularly in bolstering health systems and expanding access to quality education.
“Partnerships built on shared values can build stronger health systems, expand educational access, and give hope to families across Nigeria and the wider African continent,” she declared, according to a statement from her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi.
The event, attended by First Ladies from several African nations, focused on maternal health, reproductive care, and equitable education as pillars for sustainable development.
Senator Tinubu commended the Merck Foundation, led by CEO Senator Rasha Kelej, for its ongoing support to Nigerian healthcare professionals. Under the partnership, 14 Nigerian doctors have received scholarships for one-year diplomas in fertility and embryology, while others pursue two-year master’s degrees in sexual and reproductive care, women’s health, and family medicine.
She expressed optimism about scaling these initiatives, noting that they align seamlessly with her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in areas like economic empowerment, social investment, agriculture, and public welfare.
This appeal comes amid a series of high-profile engagements by the First Lady to address Nigeria’s social challenges. Just last week, during a visit to Qatar, Senator Tinubu explored models for a modern National Library in Nigeria, drawing inspiration from Doha’s “Free Access to Knowledge” ethos to preserve the country’s rich cultural heritage and promote literacy.
Earlier this month in Gombe State, she was honored with the traditional title “Sarauniya Yakin Kumo” (Queen Warrior of Akko Emirate) for her advocacy on behalf of women and girls, where she reiterated commitments to ensuring healthy, school-retained female students.
In Abuja, she flagged off an integrated health campaign targeting over 100 million children with vaccines and treatments, underscoring the intersection of health and learning outcomes.
Senator Tinubu’s vision extends beyond borders. In March, she sought global backing for RHI programs focused on vulnerable women and children, describing them as the “fulcrum of great nations.”
Her efforts also include food relief distributions in states like Abia, where RHI has delivered aid to combat hunger while advancing nutrition and empowerment goals. These initiatives build on calls for enhanced public-private partnerships to achieve universal health coverage, as she noted in a July address on activating health insurance nationwide.
As African nations grapple with funding shortfalls, infrastructure deficits, and rising non-communicable diseases issues.
The Merck Foundation meeting concludes tomorrow, with commitments expected on joint scholarships and community health programs. For Senator Tinubu, these steps are not just policy wins but lifelines for families striving for better futures.
