The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated the sum of ₦1 billion to the National Cancer Fund in a major move to support the elimination of cervical cancer in the country.
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, to the First Lady in Abuja.
Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to women’s health and encouraged Nigerian women to speak up and seek medical help without fear or stigma. “No one chooses to be ill,” she said. “There should be no shame in seeking help.”
“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted: test, screen, vaccinate, and treat,” she emphasized. “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
The First Lady also commended the efforts of the Taskforce, especially in alignment with the 2025 World Health Day theme: “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future.” She reiterated that health remains a top priority in her advocacy work.
In his remarks, Dr. Salako lauded the First Lady’s support in introducing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization schedule. He disclosed that 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 were vaccinated within the first nine months of the program, with a target of 6 million more to be immunized this year.
Professor Isaac Adewole, Chairman of the Taskforce and former Minister of Health, hailed the First Lady’s political will in supporting the vaccine rollout, expressing confidence that Nigeria can meet the target of immunizing 8 million girls annually, with the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
Also present was Dr. Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, who called on Mrs. Tinubu to lead the national campaign, stressing that every woman and child deserves the right to life and health.
The visit coincided with World Health Day 2025, underscoring the critical need for early detection, vaccination, and public awareness in eradicating cervical cancer in Nigeria.
