Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged to donate N1 billion to support efforts aimed at fighting cervical cancer in the country. She made the announcement as part of ongoing initiatives to eradicate cervical cancer by 2030.
Mrs. Tinubu revealed the donation on Tuesday in her office at the State House, during a meeting with the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako. This visit was part of a series of events marking World Health Day 2025.
Cervical cancer, a form of cancer that affects the lower part of the uterus, can be prevented through regular screening and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The First Lady stated that the donation would be made through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), with funding from various donors supporting the cause.
In her remarks, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized her commitment to improving women’s health. She noted that this donation is a way of giving back to society, particularly in addressing life-threatening diseases like cervical cancer. The funds will be directed to the National Cancer Fund to help with early detection, treatment, and prevention strategies.
The First Lady encouraged Nigerians, especially women, to seek medical help when faced with health challenges. "No one chooses an ailment for themselves, so there is no need to be ashamed to seek help," she said. She also expressed her full support for the national strategy against cervical cancer, which includes screening, vaccination, and treatment.
In response, Minister Salako praised Mrs. Tinubu for her active role in promoting HPV vaccination, which has been included in Nigeria’s routine immunization program. He shared that, within the first nine months of the vaccine’s introduction, 12 million girls between the ages of nine and 13 had been vaccinated, with a target to reach six million more girls in 2025.
Isaac Adewole, a former health minister and chairman of the task force, described Mrs. Tinubu’s efforts as demonstrating “uncommon political will” in tackling cervical cancer. He urged her to continue leading the campaign to eliminate the disease by 2030.
The World Health Organization’s Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, also applauded the First Lady's leadership in the fight against cervical cancer. He stressed that every woman and child has the right to live a healthy life.
Health
Martinelli’s Recalls Apple Juice Over Potential Fungal Toxin Risk
Martinelli’s has issued a recall for over 170,000 bottles of its popular apple juice due to possible contamination with patulin, a toxic substance produced by certain types of fungi.
Duale Demands Action Over Organ Trafficking Claims at Mediheal
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has strongly condemned alleged organ trafficking activities at Mediheal Hospital, calling out his own ministry’s leadership for inaction during the unfolding scandal in Eldoret.
Men With Larger Breasts Face Higher Breast Cancer Risk – Expert
Men with larger breasts may face a higher risk of developing breast cancer, according to Dr.
Otti Unveils Health Insurance Scheme for Abia Civil Servants
Governor Alex Otti has officially launched a new health insurance scheme aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable for civil servants in Abia State.
Trump Warns of Major Tariffs on Drug Imports, Alarming Pharma Sector
US President Donald Trump has warned that he will soon impose significant tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, ending decades of minimal trade barriers on medicines.
Texas Measles Outbreak Claims Second Child as Cases Surge
A second school-aged child has died in Texas due to complications from measles, as the outbreak that began in West Texas continues to spread across the state and beyond.
Nigeria Receives 1 Million Meningitis Vaccines from Gavi to Fight Outbreak
Nigeria has received over one million doses of the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) from Gavi to combat a meningitis outbreak in the country’s northern region.