Baobab Microfinance Bank has completed Phase One of its Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Project in Ilorin, Kwara State, distributing 500 reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in a targeted intervention against period poverty. The initiative, carried out in partnership with grassroots organization Sisters of Jannah (SOJ) and female-owned enterprise Sana Pads, aims to keep girls in school by addressing the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
Partnership and Product Selection
The Bank partnered with Sisters of Jannah (SOJ), a grassroots organization with established trust and deep roots within the local community. SOJ's on-the-ground knowledge enabled identification of the school where girls were most in need. The reusable sanitary pads were sourced from Sana Pads, a female-owned enterprise based in Kano that focuses on sustainable menstrual health solutions. Unlike disposable alternatives, reusable pads provide reliable protection for months, reducing the long-term cost burden on families.
Community Impact and Quotes
Mistura Afolabi of Sisters of Jannah stated: "Our work within this community has shown us the daily realities many girls face due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. We are proud to have partnered with Baobab Microfinance Bank on this important intervention. Through this collaboration, we ensured that support reached the girls who needed it most. This is how meaningful and lasting change begins." Joy Micheal-Oti, Chief Business Development Officer of Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, said: "At Baobab Microfinance Bank, we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn without interruption. Menstrual health is not a privilege; it is a basic right. This intervention in Ilorin marks the beginning of a broader commitment to addressing period poverty across Nigeria. We are determined to scale this initiative to multiple states and ensure that no girl's education is disrupted because of a lack of access to menstrual products."
Numbers and Future Plans
Phase One reached 500 girls in two schools within Ilorin. Barisi Samuels, Social Performance Manager at Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, emphasized the intangible outcomes: "Executing this project reinforced why this work matters so deeply. Beyond the distribution of sanitary pads, we delivered something even more important: dignity, confidence, and reassurance to these girls that they are seen, valued, and supported." Baobab Microfinance Bank operates 38 branches across 16 Nigerian states, providing a distribution backbone for the programme. Phase Two details, including target states and additional beneficiary schools, are yet to be announced.
