Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦1 billion to the National Cancer Fund through her Renewed Hope Initiative, significantly strengthening the country’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
The donation was announced during a courtesy visit by the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako. The First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Bukola Kukoyi, released a statement on Monday detailing the development.
Addressing the delegation, Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians—particularly women—not to shy away from seeking medical attention due to stigma or fear.
“No one chooses an ailment for themselves,” she said. “There is no need to be ashamed to seek help.”
The First Lady expressed full support for the National Taskforce’s strategy, which centres on early detection through screening, alongside vaccination and treatment. She described the approach as being “on track” and critical to defeating cancer.
“The fight against cancer can be won if patients present early and seek medical attention,” she emphasised.
Referencing the theme of this year’s World Health Day—Healthy Beginnings: Hopeful Future—Senator Tinubu stressed the importance of population health as a national asset.
“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if the majority of your population is sick, then you are the poorest, as far as I am concerned,” she stated.
In his remarks, Dr Salako applauded the First Lady’s unwavering support for the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme. He disclosed that, within the first nine months of the initiative, over 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 had received the vaccine.
“Our target is to reach an additional six million girls this year,” he added.
Professor Isaac Adewole, Chair of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and former Minister of Health, lauded Senator Tinubu for demonstrating “uncommon political will” in championing the HPV initiative. He expressed confidence in achieving the “8 by 8” goal—immunising eight million girls annually to meet the global target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
Professor Adewole noted that the immunisation campaign would cover 12 states this year and another 12 states next year.
Dr Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organization’s Country Representative, also called on the First Lady to remain a visible leader in the campaign, stating: “Every woman and child deserves the right to live.”