Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says she is dedicated to expanding scholarship opportunities for Nigerian youth to ensure they have greater access to education.
She made these remarks during a visit to the State House, Abuja, from the management team of the MERCK Foundation, a German non-governmental philanthropic organisation. While recognising the Foundation’s contributions in the education and health sectors, Mrs Tinubu reiterated that education remains a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I appreciate your impact in Africa and will work for you. I feel honoured by your visit. I believe that an educated population is essential for a country’s growth, and it would be a disaster to entrust our future to an uneducated generation,” she said.
Highlighting her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady stressed that a well-educated populace is crucial for national progress. She also commended the Foundation for providing scholarships to Nigerian students to study medicine, particularly in reproductive and fertility medicine, a field where infertility and stigmatisation remain major issues in Africa.
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In response, the Chairman of the MERCK Foundation, Professor Frank Strangenberg-Haverkamp, along with his management team, announced that in recognition of her significant contributions to women, girls, and education, Mrs Tinubu would be appointed as the “More Than A Mother” Campaign Ambassador. He urged her to partner with the Foundation to further its vision of empowering women.
“Nigeria is a very important country. The MERCK Foundation was established in 2012, driven by my love for Africa, to give back to society with a primary focus on women. It provides young girls with the opportunity to improve their lives and overcome the stigma of infertility,” he said.
MERCK Foundation scholarships are awarded to nationals of African countries and underserved communities in partnership with the Office of the First Lady in beneficiary nations.
