Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed that no girl should be denied the opportunity to learn and fulfil her potential because of menstrual hygiene challenges or her family’s inability to afford basic educational materials.
She 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).
Mrs Tinubu, who described access to education as essential to national development, said; “the intervention is 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.
The initiative, 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.
School Support
The First Lady also announced a ₦2 billion Learners Retention Support Programme targeting 100,000 learners in its first phase, with each beneficiary expected to receive ₦20,000 to help overcome financial barriers to school attendance and retention.
Speaking at the State House Conference, Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said; “the programme is built on the initial Flow with Confidence initiative launched by her Renewed Hope Initiative on October 2, 2025.’
Under the first phase, the initiative provided a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities nationwide.
She welcomed the decision of the 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.’
The First Lady urged State First Ladies, Commissioners for education and Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards to ensure that the materials reach the intended beneficiaries transparently and accountably.
She also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to challenge the stigma surrounding 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 Nigerian government is taking steps to ensure that menstrual hygiene support becames a sustained component of its basic education interventions.
The Minister said he had pledged to institutionalise the programme through UBEC and the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) when Mrs Tinubu launched the first phase a year ago.
He disclosed that UBEC would make provisions for sanitary towels in its annual budgets, while AGILE would sustain menstrual hygiene support throughout the life of the project.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the initiative represents a commitment to protecting the dignity of the girl child and creating a learning environment where menstruation would not interrupt education.
She therefore urged girls not to allow the challenges to diminish their aspirations, assuring them that the government was committed to providing the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, said “a girl’s ambitions should not be limited by circumstances that could be addressed through practical interventions.”
She illustrated the challenge with the example of a rural schoolgirl who dreams of becoming a teacher, doctor, engineer or lawyer but is unable to attend school because her family cannot afford sanitary towels.
She disclosed that the two million packs would be distributed alongside school bags, school shoes, exercise books, mathematical sets and writing materials to girls in public basic education schools across the states and the FCT.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the Emir of Argungu, said menstruation must never become a barrier to education.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, teachers and community stakeholders to challenge misconceptions and harmful practices that deny children educational opportunities.
