Nigerias First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s( middle) with Rasha Kelej (right) and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp( left)
Nigeria’s First Lady, H.E. Oluremi Tinubu, has been officially appointed as an Ambassador of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” initiative.
The announcement was made during a meeting with the Foundation’s leadership, including Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO.
“It was a privilege to meet my dear sister H.E. Senator Oluremi Tinubu and officially appoint her as Ambassador of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,’” said Kelej.
“We discussed the beginning of our long-term partnership and reaffirmed our commitment to transform the healthcare landscape by providing scholarships for local Nigerian doctors in 42 critical and underserved specialties. We also explored avenues to address key social issues, including infertility stigma and girl education.”
“More Than a Mother” is a flagship program of the Merck Foundation designed to support infertile women, break infertility stigma, and promote women’s empowerment.
The initiative provides scholarships, public awareness campaigns, and media training to shift societal perceptions, while advocating for improved healthcare and education for girls and women.
Several African First Ladies have joined the program as ambassadors, using their platforms to amplify its impact in their countries.
The first lady Tinubu welcomed the appointment stating :
“I am truly pleased to learn about the Merck Foundation’s impactful programs, particularly the Educating Linda initiative supporting girl education and the scholarships advancing healthcare capacity,” she stated.
“It is encouraging to know that 63 scholarships have been provided to our local doctors in critical medical specialties. I am fully committed to scaling up all their programs to benefit our people.”
A Legacy of Philanthropy
Tinubu’s appointment reflects her long-standing commitment to philanthropy and social development.
Her charitable work has been a consistent part of her public life and is primarily channeled through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The initiative focuses on key areas such as education, health, economic empowerment, and social investment.
Her philanthropic journey began with the New Era Foundation, established during her tenure as Lagos State First Lady (1999–2007).
The foundation focused on youth development, environmental awareness, and support for widows.
Among its notable projects was the annual “Spelling Bee” competition, which offered the winner the opportunity to serve as “Governor for One Day.”
This early work laid the foundation for her understanding of community needs and grassroots engagement.
By joining “More Than a Mother,” Tinubu becomes part of a growing network of African First Ladies advocating for women’s health and education.
The program encourages public engagement, media campaigns, and community initiatives to break taboos surrounding infertility, improve access to healthcare, and empower women to lead change in their communities.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp highlighted the Foundation’s broader mission:
“Our aim is to improve health and wellbeing by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia, and other developing countries. We are dedicated to transforming patient care through our scholarships program. So far, we have provided over 2,282 scholarships to young doctors from 53 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.”
Tinubu’s experience in social initiatives, combined with her focus on education and women’s empowerment, makes her a natural ambassador for the program.
Her involvement promises to strengthen the Foundation’s work in Nigeria, ensuring that more women and girls benefit from education, healthcare, and empowerment programs.
