Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a national menstrual health programme under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), tagged “Flow with Confidence.” The project kicked off in Anambra State with the distribution of 10,000 sanitary pad packs to teenage girls from selected schools.
Introduction of the initiative
The nationwide initiative, first introduced in October 2025, targets the distribution of 370,000 sanitary pad packs across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with each state receiving 10,000 packs. It aims to empower schoolgirls, promote menstrual hygiene, and uphold their dignity by ensuring consistent access to sanitary products for one year.
At the Anambra State flag-off ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the Light House in Awka, Senator Tinubu was represented by the state’s First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, who also serves as the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Reading the First Lady’s message, Soludo announced that Anambra’s allocation would be distributed equitably, especially in rural communities where many girls struggle to afford or access sanitary pads. She described the project as a timely intervention to combat the stigma, ridicule, and loss of confidence many adolescent girls experience during menstruation.
“It is wrong for girls to miss school during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads or fear stained clothes,” she said. “Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to pursue their education without disruption.”
Benefits of the project
She added that the initiative promotes health, dignity, and self-esteem, urging beneficiaries to use the pads properly rather than sell them.
“The project is designed to protect your health and prevent infections linked to unhygienic alternatives such as rags or tissues. About ₦2.5 billion was spent to procure these locally manufactured sanitary pads. To our girls, this is for you—stay in school, and never let shame or stigma limit your dreams,” she said.
Also speaking, Hon. Ifeoma Azikiwe, member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, commended Senator Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of women and girls.
“This is a laudable step towards ensuring menstrual health, reducing infections, and keeping our girls in school with confidence. We are grateful for the 10,000 pads allocated to Anambra,” Azikiwe noted.
An address to the students
A health expert at the event encouraged the students to view menstruation as a natural process rather than a source of shame.
“Menstruation is not something to hide. It is part of womanhood. Use your pads correctly, maintain good hygiene, and talk to trusted adults whenever you need guidance,” she advised.
The ceremony, attended by state officials, women’s groups, school representatives, and girls from various local government areas, emphasized the link between menstrual health and girls’ education.
In addition to the sanitary pad distribution, the beneficiaries received cash stipends from the Anambra First Lady to support their transport back home. The students expressed appreciation, saying the pads would help them attend school regularly and boost their confidence among peers.
