- Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu Attends OAFLAD
- Remi Tinubu Urges African First Ladies to Boost Women and Youth Empowerment
- Calls Upon Women to Close the Gender Gap
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has called for increased efforts to close the gender gap and empower women and youths across Africa.
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Speaking at the 29th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she emphasized the urgent need to promote women’s leadership and rights.
Addressing fellow First Ladies and stakeholders, Senator Tinubu described this year’s theme, “Building on Beijing: First Ladies Championing Women’s Leadership and Rights through African Heritage,” as a reflection on Africa’s values and their impact on gender equality.
“This year marks three decades since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration. The impact is evident in the progress Nigerian women have made—rising from villages to cities and even the global stage,” she stated.
She highlighted women’s achievements in various fields, including education, politics, health, science, music, fashion, business, and finance, but acknowledged persistent challenges such as gender-based violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and limited access to quality education for girls.
“As we advance with #WeAreEqualInAction, I remain committed to advocacy, resource mobilization, and partnerships to close the gender gap and strengthen women and youth empowerment in Nigeria,” she affirmed.
Senator Tinubu, recently appointed to OAFLAD’s Steering Committee, assured delegates of Nigeria’s support for the organization’s 2025-2030 Strategic Framework.
She also outlined the achievements of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which focuses on education, social welfare, economic empowerment, agriculture, and healthcare.
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In the health sector, RHI procured 60,000 professional kits for midwives to support the Federal Government’s retraining of 120,000 health workers.
This initiative, funded by an anonymous donor, aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Africa.
Furthermore, she reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign, designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis. She also announced plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of the Environment to relaunch the Environment Climate Change Club, aimed at increasing environmental awareness among Nigerian youths.
Thirteen African First Ladies attended the General Assembly in person, while eight others were represented. Discussions focused on expanding opportunities for women, tackling gender-based violence, and addressing Africa’s $16 billion funding gap for women’s development initiatives.
Other notable speakers included Amb. Minata Samaté Cessouma, outgoing Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union; Prof. Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation; and Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
As Africa marks 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference, Senator Tinubu urged collective action to empower the next generation of women and youth.
“Africa’s true prosperity lies in our rich history, vibrant cultures, and the strength of our people. Women and youth must play a pivotal role in shaping our future,” she concluded.
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