By Erewunmi Peace

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, joined other African First Ladies at the 2025 edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, held in The Gambia. The high-level conference brought together First Ladies, health ministers, policymakers, and medical experts from across Africa and Asia to advance discussions on health capacity building and women’s empowerment.

The annual event, organized by the Merck Foundation, serves as a platform for the “Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI)”, where African First Ladies collaborate to address health and social challenges such as infertility stigma, girl-child education, and healthcare accessibility.

Senator Tinubu, who serves as Ambassador of the “More Than a Mother” Campaign, reaffirmed her commitment to supporting women’s health and promoting gender equity in Nigeria. She emphasized the need for collective African leadership in ensuring equal access to education and healthcare for women and children.

Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rasha Kelej, commended the participating First Ladies for their leadership in driving social change and improving healthcare outcomes in their respective countries.

The Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary continues to be one of the continent’s most significant gatherings for partnerships in science, health, and empowerment.