First lady donates 140,000 storybooks to boost girl-child education
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 140,000 copies of seven storybooks on girl-child development to the Federal Ministry of Education for distribution to public school libraries across the country, in a move aimed at strengthening girl-child education and promoting positive social values among young Nigerians.
The donation, carried out in Abuja on Thursday, forms part of efforts under the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative to support education and social development, particularly for girls.
The books, published by Merck Foundation and reproduced by the Office of the First Lady, focus on key themes surrounding girl-child development, including confidence building, empathy, healthy living, gender equity, and social responsibility.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, she reaffirmed her commitment to empowering young girls and ensuring they are equipped to build futures that align with their aspirations.
She said functional education remains critical to helping girls navigate developmental and societal challenges, stressing that investment in education remains one of the strongest tools for social transformation.
According to her, the storybooks are not only beneficial to girls but also to boys, as they promote shared values necessary for building a fair and responsible society.
“It gladdens my heart that I am able to partner with the Merck Foundation on this initiative. Though the books are small in number compared to our population, they are meaningful and impactful,” she said.
The First Lady noted that the foundation has become an international partner under her Renewed Hope Initiative and has contributed significantly to healthcare, education, and social development across Africa.
She further disclosed that the partnership has already yielded tangible benefits in Nigeria’s health sector through capacity development.
“Through our partnership, the foundation has provided 91 medical scholarships that are helping to strengthen the health sector in Nigeria,” she added.
Senator Tinubu, while presenting the books to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, expressed confidence in the ministry’s ability to ensure effective nationwide distribution.
“I am confident that the ministry will facilitate the effective distribution of the books to public school libraries across the country, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds can benefit from their lessons,” she stated.
Receiving the books, Alausa commended the First Lady for her sustained support for education and child development, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
He noted that the storybooks address critical issues affecting the girl child, including gender discrimination and sexual violence, while also reinforcing positive values needed for personal growth and leadership.
The minister also praised the First Lady for championing initiatives that directly improve citizens’ welfare despite public criticism and misinformation.
Alausa referenced the ministry’s recent “One Day Minister” initiative during the Children’s Day celebration, revealing that the concept drew inspiration from a similar programme introduced by Senator Tinubu during her time as wife of the former Lagos State governor.
“I promise you that we will use these books and disseminate them across the country,” he said.
The donation is one of several outcomes of the collaboration between the First Lady and the Merck Foundation, which has increasingly focused on advancing girl-child education, healthcare access, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
With the official handover completed, distribution of the books to public school libraries nationwide has commenced, signaling another step toward improving learning resources and fostering inclusive education for Nigerian children.