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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday launched RenewHER, a national initiative aimed at transforming women’s health and reducing maternal mortality across Nigeria. Unveiled on Thursday night at a gala event held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the programme represents a strategic national effort to place women’s welfare and empowerment at the heart of the country’s development agenda.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him, President Tinubu stressed that RenewHER addresses one of Nigeria’s most urgent health challenges and is crucial for the nation’s social stability and future prosperity. “There is no greater test of a nation’s character than the care it extends to its women. Maternal health is the heartbeat of every family, the compass of social stability, and the truest index of national welfare,” the President declared.
According to a statement issued by the Vice President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the initiative introduced a dedicated Presidential focal office for women’s health, which will coordinate closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs, State-Wide Approach Coordination Office (SWAp), and the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum. This network aims to embed women’s health priorities into policy and action at every state, local government, and community level throughout Nigeria.
A key feature of RenewHER is the establishment of an AI-powered National Women’s Health Digital Hub. This innovative platform will provide geo-targeted health campaigns focused on maternal survival, adolescent health, preventive care, and strengthening the health workforce. According to President Tinubu, the hub will also link healthcare improvements with entrepreneurship opportunities and economic growth, ensuring that women and families have access to trusted health information nationwide.
Addressing the deeply concerning rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, the President vowed collective accountability and action. “We owe every girl-child not just the eloquent promise of a better tomorrow, but the certainty of a healthier one,” he said, highlighting that RenewHER will complement existing programmes like MAMII while aligning with international partners to enhance its impact.
Expressing strong governmental commitment, President Tinubu declared, “With the mandate of the Nigerian people, I hereby unveil RenewHER—our Presidential Women’s Health Commitment,” pledging that his administration would act as both catalyst and umbrella coordinating intervention efforts across all federal, state, and local levels until measurable success is achieved.
First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum, Olufolake AbdulRazaq,
pledged full support for the initiative nationwide through the forum’s collaborations with state governments and the private sector. She emphasized that RenewHER represents not only a health campaign but a broad commitment to women’s empowerment under the Tinubu administration.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Adanna Steinacker, who helped inaugurate the event, credited President Tinubu’s visionary leadership in prioritizing women’s health as fundamental to national progress. She called for multi-sectoral cooperation to form “one movement aimed at renewing Nigeria’s future.”
UN Women Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, characterized RenewHER as a “turning point” and “bold initiative,” marking Nigeria’s highest-level commitment to women’s health as a socioeconomic driver. The UN official assured ongoing collaboration with RenewHER to broaden access to health services, enabling Nigerian women to live with dignity.
The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, various governors’ wives, diplomats, and other dignitaries, symbolizing broad support for RenewHER’s ambitious goals.
Other News
RenewHER signals a decisive step in addressing Nigeria’s women’s health challenges with integrated policy, technology, grassroots engagement, and international partnership, aiming for a sustainable reduction in maternal deaths and a stronger foundation for societal well-being.
