First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Celebrates Nigerian Children, Unveils Key Education and Empowerment Initiatives

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Celebrates Nigerian Children, Unveils Key Education and Empowerment Initiatives

Abuja, May 27, 2025 — As part of activities marking the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has lauded Nigerian children as the "heartbeat of the nation" while reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to education and child development.

Speaking at the launch of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Additional Financing to States and AGILE Games Award Ceremony at the State House in Abuja, the First Lady congratulated children across the country and celebrated the impact of the World Bank-supported AGILE project in promoting inclusive education.

“Every child represented here today has demonstrated what is possible when opportunity meets support. You have shown us that the good seeds planted are already bearing fruit,” she stated, encouraging students to continue learning, creating, and believing in their potential to make a meaningful difference in Nigeria.

Senator Tinubu urged children to take full advantage of every opportunity and emphasized that each child is a champion, whether or not they received an award at the event.

She also commended state governors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders for supporting school enrolment and championing girls’ education, urging them to remain steadfast in mobilizing communities for the shared goal of educational advancement.

New Initiatives Under Renewed Hope Agenda

Highlighting forthcoming projects under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady introduced two key programmes aimed at further supporting youth development:

1. Environment Clubs and Societies – To be launched in secondary and tertiary institutions respectively, these platforms will engage students in environmental sustainability through tree planting and clean-up campaigns.

2. “Flow with Confidence” Initiative – Designed to provide one-year supplies of sanitary pads to adolescent girls in rural communities, helping them remain in school during their menstrual cycles.

She encouraged all students to stay focused on their education, emphasizing, “Staying in school and excelling in your studies will give you the knowledge and skills you need for a good future. Never stop believing in what you can achieve.”

Education as a Pillar of National Development

In his remarks, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described AGILE as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s educational advancement.

“Education is not just a human right; it is a national security imperative,” he said. “Every textbook is a brick in the foundation of peace and prosperity. Every trained teacher is a guardian of our collective future.”

World Bank Commits to Supporting 50 Million Students

World Bank Country Director, Mr. Taimur Samad, revealed that AGILE is the second-largest education-focused project backed by the institution globally. He noted that with nearly two-thirds of Nigerian girls dropping out before completing school, AGILE aims to shift this narrative by targeting 50 million students across the country.

Governors from Borno and Taraba States, speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, pledged continued commitment to prioritizing the education of the girl child in their respective regions.

The event featured the AGILE Games Award Ceremony, celebrating winners in various categories, and concluded with the symbolic presentation of a painting by a special needs student, Awelewa, to Senator Tinubu.

Busola Kukoyi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady
Tuesday, May 27, 2025