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 her family’s inability to afford basic educational materials.
She also announced a ₦2bn 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.
Mrs Tinubu made the announcement on Monday at the national flag-off of the distribution of two million packs of sanitary towels and back-to-school learning materials to girls in public basic education schools across Nigeria.
The event, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, was organised to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The initiative will see two million packs of sanitary towels and learning materials distributed to girls in public basic education schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady said the intervention was designed to address challenges 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, tagged Flow with Confidence 2.0, is being implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as part of activities marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
Mrs Tinubu said the programme builds on the first Flow with Confidence initiative launched by her Renewed Hope Initiative on October 2, 2025, which provided a year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities nationwide.
She welcomed UBEC’s decision to take over and expand the programme, noting that the distribution of sanitary towels alongside learning materials would help girls attend 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 reached the intended beneficiaries through a transparent and accountable distribution process.
She also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation and encourage families to support girls’ education.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Mrs Tinubu urged them to remain focused on their education, believe in their abilities and seek help whenever necessary.
“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.
