The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing girls’ education and strengthening healthcare systems in Nigeria and across Africa through scholarships and capacity-building programs.
At the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025, the Foundation announced new scholarships and training opportunities for African doctors, alongside expanded support for underprivileged girls’ education.
The summit was inaugurated by Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Sen. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of MFFLI, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
Tinubu was recently appointed as Ambassador of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign.
The first ladies of Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe also participated.
Kelej said that the foundation had so far provided 63 scholarships for Nigerian doctors in critical and underserved specialities.
She listed the specialities to include fertility, embryology, women’s health, oncology, diabetes, cardiology, endocrinology, acute medicine, critical care, psychiatry, and care for older persons.
“Together, we will transform the future of patient care in Nigeria,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian first lady accepted her appointment as Ambassador of the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” campaign.
She pledged to expand collaboration in areas of women’s empowerment and healthcare improvement.
She highlighted the “Educating Linda Programme”, through which 20 high-performing but underprivileged Nigerian girls are being sponsored through their education until graduation.
“I firmly believe in empowering girls through education, as it plays a crucial role in building stronger and healthier nations. Tthis is one of the key objectives of my office’s strategy,” she said.
Tinubu said that the scholarships provided for Nigerian doctors would help close gaps in specialised healthcare services, especially in fertility and reproductive medicine.
She said that it would equip the country with experts in other life-saving fields.
The Merck Foundation said that its broader objective was to address infertility stigma, advance women’s health and promote education as a driver of social and economic transformation across Africa and beyond.