First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has launched the nationwide distribution of two million packs of sanitary towels and back-to-school materials to girls in public basic education schools across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The initiative, tagged “Flow with Confidence 2.0: Keeping Every Girl in School,” was launched at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, said the programme was aimed at addressing barriers that prevent girls, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, from attending school regularly and participating fully in learning.
Garba said the intervention aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education and child welfare as essential components of national development.
She stressed that the inability to afford sanitary products should not prevent girls from attending school or undermine their dignity.
“Our message is clear: no girl child should have to choose between her dignity and her education,” she said.
According to her, the initiative goes beyond distributing sanitary towels and learning materials, representing an investment in girls’ confidence, educational attainment and future prospects.
Garba commended the First Lady for her advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiative, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, towards advancing girls’ education.
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Highlighting UBEC’s achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Garba said the commission had facilitated the construction of more than 4,000 classrooms nationwide in less than three years.
She added that UBEC had supported the provision of water and sanitation facilities, learning materials, teacher training and digital technology in public schools.
According to her, more than three million pupils benefited from back-to-school materials in the preceding year, while interventions by UBEC and its partners had helped return approximately 700,000 out-of-school children to classrooms.
Under the Flow with Confidence 2.0 programme, beneficiaries will receive sanitary towels and learning materials, including school bags, shoes, exercise books, mathematics textbooks and writing materials.
Garba also disclosed that UBEC’s Learners Retention Support Programme would provide scholarships to 100,000 learners in its first phase.
Each beneficiary is expected to receive N20,000, with a total allocation of N2 billion to help ease financial challenges affecting school attendance and retention.
She urged state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards, traditional and religious leaders, parents, teachers and development partners to ensure transparent and accountable implementation of the interventions.
Earlier, the First Lady commended UBEC for expanding the programme to reach more schoolgirls and provide practical support to families.
She said keeping girls in school required deliberate efforts to address challenges affecting their education, particularly in rural communities where limited access to sanitary products could contribute to absenteeism.
Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that Nigerian girls could pursue their education with dignity, confidence and the support needed to fulfil their potential.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a significant step towards securing the education and future of Nigerian girls.
He said the Federal Government’s education reforms were designed to expand access to learning and address barriers preventing children, especially girls, from completing their education.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the programme demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting girls’ dignity, promoting menstrual health and hygiene, and reducing barriers to school attendance.
