First Lady donates N1bn to combat cervical cancer in Nigeria
By Kunle Sanni
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Health Day, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion through her Renewed Hope Initiative to support the fight against cervical cancer in Nigeria.
The donation was announced on Monday during a courtesy visit by the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu emphasized the importance of Nigerians, particularly women, seeking medical help early and without shame.
“No one chooses an ailment for themselves,” the First Lady said. “There is no need to be ashamed to seek help. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
She commended the Taskforce’s strategy of testing, screening, vaccination, and treatment, noting that early detection remains crucial to defeating cancer. The First Lady aligned her health-focused advocacy with this year’s World Health Day theme, “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future.”
“I believe 70% of my work is in health. No matter the wealth of a nation, if the majority of the population is sick, then the nation is poor,” she stated.
Dr. Salako acknowledged the First Lady’s critical support for the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization program, which has led to the vaccination of 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 in its first nine months. He also revealed that the ministry aims to reach an additional six million girls this year.
Chairman of the Taskforce and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, praised Senator Tinubu’s political will and called for her continued support in achieving the national target of immunizing eight million girls annually — a strategy aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
