By Patricia Jang
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expanded her Renewed Hope Initiative with the rollout of a national menstrual health project titled “Flow with Confidence.” The programme seeks to promote menstrual hygiene and empower schoolgirls with access to sanitary pads, with 10,000 packs distributed to teenage girls from select schools in Anambra State.
The initiative, which began in October 2025, targets the distribution of 370,000 sanitary pad packs across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, with each state receiving 10,000 packs.
Speaking at the Anambra State flag-off ceremony on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Light House in Awka, the First Lady was represented by Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the state governor and coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Anambra.
Reading Tinubu’s remarks, Soludo said the project aims to reduce school absenteeism linked to menstrual challenges and to restore the dignity and confidence of adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas where many face difficulties accessing sanitary products.
“This programme is a timely intervention to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls, especially the stigma, ridicule, and loss of self-confidence that often accompany menstruation in schools,” she said.
“It is wrong for girls to miss school during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads or fear stained clothes. Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to embrace their education without disruption.”
Soludo disclosed that about ₦2.5 billion was spent to provide the sanitary pads, which were sourced from a local manufacturer, and urged the beneficiaries to use them properly rather than sell them. She added that the project is designed to safeguard the health of young girls and prevent infections associated with unsafe menstrual practices.
In her goodwill message, the member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ifeoma Azikiwe, commended the First Lady for her compassion and 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,” Azikiwe said. “We appreciate the First Lady for extending this gesture to every state, and we are especially thankful for the 10,000 packs given to Anambra.”
A guest health expert also addressed the students, urging them to view menstruation as a natural and empowering part of womanhood. “Menstruation is not something to hide or be embarrassed about. Maintain good hygiene, use your sanitary pads correctly, and seek advice when needed. Never let menstruation stop you from achieving your dreams,” she told the girls.
The event drew government officials, women’s groups, and schoolgirls from across the state, with many of the beneficiaries expressing gratitude for the gesture. In addition to the sanitary pads, the girls also received cash gifts from Dr Soludo to cover transportation expenses.
Many of the students described the initiative as a relief that would help them attend school more consistently and build their confidence among peers.
