A major boost has been given to Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer as the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, pledged a donation of one billion naira through her Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI,.

The donation, she said, would support the National Cancer Fund and aid ongoing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria by 2030.

Mrs Tinubu made the commitment during a meeting with the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, at the State House.

The taskforce’s visit was one of the key activities lined up to mark World Health Day 2025, drawing attention to the need for intensified national action against cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a deadly but preventable disease that affects the lower part of the uterus. Prevention strategies include routine PAP smear screenings and the HPV vaccine, which protects against the virus that causes most cervical cancers.

The First Lady expressed concern over the burden of the disease and stressed that early detection and prompt treatment are critical to saving lives.

She explained that the funds for the donation would come from RHI’s donors and that it was her duty to channel resources toward life-saving interventions.

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“No one chooses an ailment for themselves. So, there is no need to be ashamed to seek help,” she urged, calling on women to speak up when faced with health challenges.

Mrs Tinubu voiced her full support for the national strategy to combat cervical cancer, which combines testing, vaccination, and treatment.

“I am in support of what you are doing. We are on track, especially with the approach you have adopted, namely: test, screen, vaccinate, and treatment,” she said.

Dr. Salako commended the First Lady for championing HPV vaccination, noting that over 12 million girls aged 9 to 13 have been vaccinated since the programme began, with another 6 million targeted in 2025.

Prof. Isaac Adewole, Chairman of the Taskforce and former Minister of Health, described her involvement as a display of strong political will and urged her to continue driving the campaign toward total eradication.

World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, also praised Mrs Tinubu’s leadership and emphasized the importance of sustained efforts, saying, “Every child and woman has a right to live.”

NAN