The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of two million packs of sanitary towels to girls in public basic education schools across the country as part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene, improve school attendance, and protect the dignity of adolescent girls.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while delivering his remarks at the launch of the initiative, which also includes the distribution of back-to-school learning materials to girls in public basic education schools.
The event was held in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on Sunday, October 11.
Alausa stated that the initiative was aimed at addressing barriers associated with menstrual hygiene that could affect girls’ school attendance, concentration, and participation in learning.
He stressed that menstrual hygiene was critical to girls’ health, dignity, and educational development, noting that every girl should be able to attend school, concentrate on her lessons, and pursue her ambitions with confidence throughout the month.
The Minister revealed that the initial launch of the Flow with Confidence initiative reached more than 370,000 adolescent girls across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He described the achievement as evidence of the impact of compassionate leadership when matched with practical action.
Alausa recalled that he had pledged, during the launch of the initiative a year ago, that the Federal Ministry of Education would institutionalise menstrual hygiene support through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.
He explained that the government was translating the commitment into concrete action by making provision for the initiative within UBEC’s annual budget to sustain the supply of sanitary towels to girls in public basic education schools.
The Minister added that menstrual hygiene support would also be sustained throughout the lifespan of the AGILE project, describing the measures as a lasting foundation for expanding access to education and safeguarding the well-being of Nigerian girls.
He emphasised that the distribution of the two million packs of sanitary towels, funded by UBEC, alongside learning materials, would help reduce barriers to school attendance and enable girls to learn with confidence, dignity, and peace of mind.
Alausa also commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC and her team for their efforts in advancing the initiative, pledging that the Ministry would work with state governments and schools to ensure the materials reached the intended beneficiaries and that the support was sustained.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their education and future, assuring them that Nigeria believed in their potential.
He further expressed appreciation to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her leadership and continued investment in the education and welfare of Nigerian children.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating opportunities for girls to access education and realise their aspirations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
