Educated population key to national growth, says First Lady
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has underscored the critical role of education in national development, declaring that a well-educated population is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive society.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the management of Merck Foundation, a Germany-based philanthropic organisation, Senator Tinubu emphasized that no society can truly advance without prioritising education.
She reaffirmed commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities for Nigerian youth, noting that education remains a top priority for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I believe once you have an educated population, the country will grow in bounds. It would be a disaster to hand over the future to an uneducated generation,” the First Lady stated.
Tinubu’s remarks were delivered as she received the honour of being named the “More Than A Mother” Campaign Ambassador by Merck Foundation.
According to a statement on Wednesday evening by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi,
The designation recognised the First Lady’s longstanding advocacy for women’s empowerment, education, and reproductive health across Nigeria and Africa.
In her address, the First Lady highlighted key interventions of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), particularly in the education sector.
She noted that RHI has already facilitated scholarship schemes and learning support for underprivileged students nationwide, with plans to broaden the reach and impact in the months ahead.
Commending Merck Foundation for its extensive support in both the health and education sectors, Senator Tinubu praised the organization’s efforts in providing scholarships for Nigerian students to study medicine, with a focus on reproductive and fertility health.
“Infertility and the stigma surrounding it are still significant issues in Africa,” she noted, stressing the need for holistic approaches to education that incorporate health and gender awareness.
Merck Foundation Chairman, Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, who led the visiting delegation, said the organisation was pleased to partner with the First Lady and her Renewed Hope Initiative to further expand its work in Nigeria.
“Due to your efforts and dedication to the welfare of women, girls, and education, we are honoured to appoint you as the ‘More Than A Mother’ Campaign Ambassador,” he announced.
He called for deeper collaboration between the Foundation and the Office of the First Lady, noting that Nigeria remains a key focus of Merck’s work on the African continent.
“It gives young girls the opportunity to have a better life and overcome the stigma of not having children,” he said.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, added that the organisation’s mission includes ending child marriage, promoting girls’ education, and empowering women at all levels.
She stated: “In you, the Foundation finds a worthy partner, willing and able to expand the frontiers of a shared cause.”
Through its ongoing partnership with African nations, Merck Foundation has provided hundreds of scholarships and training opportunities, particularly in the medical field, to underserved communities.
Its collaboration with the First Lady of Nigeria is expected to deepen impact in areas of maternal health, gender equality, and youth education.
With education firmly at the centre of her advocacy, Senator Tinubu reiterated her belief that an informed and enlightened population is the bedrock of sustainable national development.
“We cannot overstate the value of knowledge. We are committed to ensuring our children and youth are not left behind in the global race for innovation and progress”, she said.
