Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO meet H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I am proud to share the success of our high-level meeting with my dear sister, H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, alongside Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation BOT, in Abuja. It was a privilege to meet my dear sister H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officially appoint her to be the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. During our meeting, we discussed the beginning of our long-term partnership and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care landscape by providing scholarships for local Nigerian doctors in 42 critical and underserved specialties. We also discussed about addressing critical social and health issues in the country including breaking the infertility stigma and supporting girl education.
It gives me great pleasure to share that till today, 63 scholarships have been provided for doctors in Nigeria including 8 in Fertility, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, and Women’s Health, and 38 in Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, and Obesity & Weight Management, enabling them to establish specialized clinics. Additionally, 17 scholarships have been awarded in critical specialties like Oncology Research, Clinical Psychiatry, Dermatology, Pain Management, Respiratory Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Critical Care, and Rheumatology. As part of our ‘Educating Linda’ program, we have also sponsored the education of 20 high-performing but underprivileged Nigerian schoolgirls.
We have conducted three editions of Online Health Media Training for Nigerian journalists to emphasize the media’s role in creating a cultural shift by addressing social and health issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
I am thrilled to announce the launch of our 8 important Merck Foundation Awards for Media, Musicians & Singers, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and students & new potential talents in Nigeria, in partnership with The First Lady of Nigeria. These awards aim to raise awareness about Breaking Infertility Stigma, Women Empowerment, and promoting healthy lifestyles through diabetes and hypertension awareness.
I invite the young Nigerian talents to share their creative and inspiring work with us. We have celebrated many winners from Nigeria in the previous years and look forward to celebrating winners this year too. All the entries can be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com by 30th September 2025 for “More Than a Mother” awards and 30th October 2025 for “Diabetes & Hypertension” awards.
We will continue to work closely with The First Lady of Nigeria to drive transformative change in healthcare, education, and social awareness, ensuring a healthier and more empowered future for the people of Nigeria.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
President of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign
