Baobab MFB launches hygiene project in Kwara

Baobab Microfinance Bank has concluded the first phase of its Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Project in Ilorin, Kwara State, marking a significant step in its commitment to community-driven social impact.

The initiative, the MFB said on Tuesday’s statement, was executed in close collaboration with Sisters of Jannah, a trusted grassroots organisation with deep ties to the local community, and successfully placed 500 reusable sanitary pads in the hands of schoolgirls at a carefully identified beneficiary school.

At the heart of this project is a recognition that menstrual health remains one of the most underserved needs among adolescent girls in Nigeria. Period poverty, defined by limited or no access to sanitary products, drives school absenteeism, undermines academic confidence, and contributes to dropout rates among girls in low-income communities. By choosing reusable pads supplied by Sana Pads, a female-owned enterprise based in Kano, the initiative addresses both sustainability and the immediate dignity needs of young girls.

Baobab Microfinance Bank’s Chief Business Development Officer, Joy Micheal-Oti, framed the initiative within a broader national vision.

“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,” he stated.

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The bank’s Social Performance Manager, Barisi Samuels, reflected on the deeper significance of the outreach.

“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. I am proud of what we achieved alongside Sisters of Jannah, Sana Pads and enthusiastic about the future of this initiative,” she said.

The partnership with Sisters of Jannah was integral to the project’s impact. The group’s knowledge of the community enabled the bank to identify schools where the need was greatest, ensuring that support reached the girls who needed it most.

“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,” said Mistura Afolabi of Sisters of Jannah.

This initiative falls under the bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility framework, which focuses on inclusive development for underserved populations. With 38 branches spanning 16 states, Baobab is well-positioned to scale the project nationwide. Expansion plans and additional beneficiary schools will be announced in due course.