In a political landscape where many public figures are long on promises but short on delivery, it’s refreshing to witness government officials who understand that governance is about tangible impact.
First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu appears to be charting this course with her recent interventions in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
The past week saw the First Lady made headlines with a substantial donation of N1 billion to the National Cancer Fund specifically targeted at tackling cervical cancer in Nigeria. This wasn’t just another photo opportunity with oversized dummy cheques; it represents a significant financial commitment to a disease that claims the lives of thousands of Nigerian women annually.
I find it particularly noteworthy that Senator Tinubu didn’t just throw money at the problem – she emphasised the importance of early detection and treatment. “The fight against cancer can be won if the patients present early and seek medical intervention,” she noted while receiving a delegation of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Her plea for women to “speak up and seek appropriate help whenever they have medical challenges” addresses the culture of silence and stigma that often surrounds health issues in our society.
But what’s truly commendable is the alignment of this intervention with existing health infrastructure. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, revealed that the First Lady’s vocal support for the HPV vaccine had already translated to concrete results – with 12 million girls between ages 9-13 vaccinated in the first nine months of its introduction into the national immunisation programme. This is what effective health advocacy looks like.
When public health experts talk about the importance of high-level political commitment to health programmes, this is exactly what they mean. Prof. Issac Adewole, former minister of health and chairman of the Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, described it as “uncommon political will.”
In a country where political will is often in short supply, such recognition from a technocrat shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The timing of this intervention is equally strategic. With World Health Day 2025 themed “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Future,” the First Lady’s focus on preventable health conditions that disproportionately affect women and children demonstrates an understanding that a nation’s health indices are inextricably linked to its development prospects.
As she aptly put it, “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. No matter what wealth you have as a nation, if your population or majority of your population is sick, you are just the poorest as far as I am concerned.”
But the First Lady’s healthcare interventions didn’t stop there. Her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) also flagged off the distribution of professional kits to midwives in the North East geopolitical zone. This intervention targets another critical health challenge in Nigeria – maternal mortality.
To put things in perspective, Nigeria accounts for about 20 percent of global maternal deaths, with approximately 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) figures. Any serious attempt to address this must involve empowering frontline health workers, particularly midwives who are often the first and sometimes only point of medical contact for pregnant women in rural areas.
By providing 60,000 branded scrubs and pairs of crocs to midwives across the six geopolitical zones, the initiative recognises that “the demands of the health profession require not only skills and compassion but also the right tools.”
This practical approach to healthcare worker motivation might seem simple but can significantly impact service delivery.
What’s even more impressive is that this initiative complements the federal government’s ongoing retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. It demonstrates an understanding of the multi-dimensional approach needed to strengthen health systems – combining training with motivation and the provision of tools.
However, let’s be realistic. While these interventions are laudable, they represent just a drop in the ocean of Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. Our healthcare infrastructure remains dilapidated in many areas, brain drain continues to deplete our medical workforce, and out-of-pocket expenditure remains the primary mode of healthcare financing for most Nigerians.
True progress will require sustained, systemic investments in healthcare infrastructure, human resources for health, and universal health coverage. The First Lady’s interventions, while significant, cannot substitute for comprehensive healthcare reform at the federal and state levels.
That said, the N50 million business recapitalisation grant provided to 1,000 petty traders in Taraba State alongside the healthcare interventions shows an understanding of the social determinants of health. Economic empowerment, particularly for women, often translates to better health outcomes for entire families as income is frequently directed toward nutrition and healthcare needs.
What would make these interventions even more effective is the establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track impact. How many women will actually receive cervical cancer screening as a result of this donation? How will the professional kits improve service delivery by midwives? These are questions that should be answered with data, not just anecdotes, in the coming months.
The engagement with traditional rulers in Taraba State regarding the campaign against HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis, and tuberculosis also demonstrates an understanding that culture and traditional institutions remain influential in shaping health-seeking behaviours, especially in rural areas.
As we assess the First Lady’s healthcare interventions, it’s important to acknowledge that they appear to be part of a coordinated effort with the Federal Ministry of Health under Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. This alignment with the broader health sector strategy increases the likelihood of sustainable impact.
Ultimately, while these interventions won’t singlehandedly transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, they represent the kind of high-level political commitment that can catalyse action at various levels. The real test will be in the follow-through, the sustainability of these initiatives, and whether they can spark structural reforms that address the root causes of Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
For now, Senator Remi Tinubu deserves credit for putting her office’s weight behind critical healthcare issues and backing words with action. In a political environment where performative governance often trumps actual delivery, this approach is both refreshing and necessary.
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