Oluremi Tinubu reaffirms commitment to health, education of girls

By Kunle Sanni –

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reiterated her commitment to advancing the health and education of girls and women in Nigeria, describing it as essential to the country’s development.

Speaking at the 7th MERCK Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai, part of the Foundation’s 13th anniversary celebrations, Mrs. Tinubu joined First Ladies from 13 other countries to explore collaborative efforts in improving healthcare and empowering women across Africa and Asia.

The Nigerian First Lady emphasized that strengthening education—particularly for girls pursuing careers in healthcare—would have long-term impacts on the well-being of Nigerian communities.

“I agree that this is a highly beneficial program for our country, and I am committed to expanding it further through my Office and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” she said. “By doing so, we will empower more Nigerian doctors and enhance public healthcare for our people.”

Mrs. Tinubu, who described herself as a lifelong teacher, highlighted her Renewed Hope Initiative’s ongoing efforts to prioritize girl-child education and youth empowerment.

She also commended the MERCK Foundation for its continued support to healthcare systems by providing scholarships for medical professionals in Africa and Asia. According to her, such training equips doctors to establish clinics and deliver essential care within their communities.

The summit featured First Ladies from Ghana, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Angola, Liberia, the Maldives, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gabon, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe. They jointly praised MERCK Foundation’s contributions to girl-child education and healthcare development, despite the cultural and financial obstacles women face across Africa.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Foundation, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, emphasized that girls’ education is a necessity, not a luxury.