…Plans first international conference in Akwa Ibom in 2027
The Serifat Ajala Menopause Foundation (SAMF) has unveiled an upgraded website to expand access to menopause information, support women experiencing the transition, and strengthen public awareness of menopause management across Nigeria and beyond.
The foundation also announced plans to transform its annual World Menopause Day programme into an Annual International Conference on Menopause Management (AICOMM), with the maiden edition scheduled to be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from October 17 to 20, 2027.
The President of SAMF, Alhaji Isiaka Abimbola Oladele, announced the initiatives at the foundation’s 2026 World Menopause Day press conference held at Diplomatic Garden, Garki, Abuja, on Saturday.
Oladele said the foundation remained committed to promoting menopause awareness, supporting affected women and encouraging open conversations about a natural stage of women’s lives.
Speaking on the theme “Menopause: You Are Not Alone,” he emphasised the relationship between women’s well-being, family stability, and peace in society.
“Our thought is that when a woman is in distress, the home feels it, and when the home is unsettled, the society feels it,” he said.
He explained that the foundation’s approach to menopause management went beyond medical concerns to encompass emotional well-being, family relationships and social awareness.
Oladele described the launch of the upgraded website, www.sherrymenopause.org, as a major milestone in the foundation’s efforts to make reliable information and support more accessible.
He urged members of the public to visit the platform for information and guidance on menopause, while encouraging members and supporters to promote its activities through their networks and social media channels.
The foundation’s Director of Logistics, AbdulQuadr Teniola Adegbenro Ajala, was scheduled to demonstrate the website’s features during the event.
Oladele, however, acknowledged the financial challenges confronting the organisation, saying limited resources had affected some of its activities, including the production of its flagship publication, VIVA MENOPAUSE magazine, launched in 2025.
He appealed to members and well-meaning Nigerians to support the foundation financially and help sustain its public awareness campaigns.
“Let me be frank: our resources are lean; the awareness, however, must not stop,” he said.
He urged members to take their monthly subscriptions seriously, adding that those unable to contribute financially could support the foundation by visiting its website, engaging with its social media platforms and referring people to its resources.
As part of efforts to expand its reach and strengthen engagement with stakeholders, SAMF announced plans to upgrade its annual World Menopause Day activities into an international conference beginning in 2027.
Oladele said the maiden Annual International Conference on Menopause Management would take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from October 17 to 20, 2027, with the state’s SAMF chapter selected to host the event.
According to him, the conference will feature educational and medical sessions, alongside tourism and recreational activities designed to encourage broader participation.
He called on members to begin preparations for the event, which he said would provide opportunities for learning, networking and greater public engagement on menopause management.
Oladele also commended the foundation’s Akwa Ibom and Osun chapters for their commitment and proactive participation, urging other state chapters to strengthen their activities.
He stressed that SAMF was not limited to Abuja, noting that its vision and activities extended beyond Nigeria’s capital.
“Take notice, please, SAMF is not an Abuja affair. Our presence transcends Abuja; we are, in fact, global!” he said.
Reviewing the foundation’s activities over the past year, Oladele said SAMF had sustained its monthly webinars and participated in several empowerment programmes, medical outreaches and public lectures aimed at increasing menopause awareness.
These included an empowerment programme organised by the House of Gold Foundation in Jikwoyi, Abuja; a medical outreach by the Islamic Family Foundation in Wasa District; and a public lecture on menopause at Ansar-Ud-Deen in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
The foundation also participated in an empowerment program organized by Jahis Foundation at the National Mosque, Abuja, and the Standup for Women Society’s international conference for women in Abuja.
Oladele said these engagements had helped the foundation establish relationships with stakeholders and attract interest from women willing to support its activities.
He added that SAMF was engaging with relevant government institutions, including the federal ministries responsible for women affairs, health and social welfare, humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, as well as budget and national planning.
The foundation has also established links with the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO), through which it is registered with UNESCO, according to the president.
He expressed appreciation to the commission’s Director-General, Dr Wale Olagunju, and its staff for their encouragement and support.
Oladele also acknowledged the contributions of its medical, corporate and civil society partners, including Dr Hassan Hospital, Oladele Construction Company Limited, KASCO Pharmacy and Cotton Wool, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Abuja Muslim Forum and ATMAN Limited.
Menopause Is Not a Curse, SAMF Assures Women
The foundation urged women and their families to approach menopause with greater understanding and openness, warning against the stigma and misconceptions that can prevent affected women from seeking information and support.
Oladele said menopause should not be treated as a secret or a curse but recognized as a natural phase of life that deserves informed attention and public understanding.
“To our mothers, fathers, wives, brothers and sisters dreading menopause, I assure you: it is not a secret, it is not a curse, and it is never a death warrant,” he said.
He stressed that menopause awareness was relevant to everyone because women experiencing the transition were part of families, workplaces and communities.
“It is a natural phase that we must talk about. It is what everyone must know about because, if not you, your mother, your sister, your wife, your neighbour, colleagues or friends may be affected,” he said.
The foundation’s 2026 programme included a radio discussion on menopause awareness, a community engagement following Friday prayers at Al-Habibiyyah Mosque in Guzape, Abuja, and a light exercise and aerobics session at Diplomatic Garden.
A thanksgiving and special service was also scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at Faithville Christian Assembly, Durumi, Abuja, to mark World Menopause Day.
Oladele urged Nigerians to become ambassadors of menopause awareness and help build a society in which women receive the information, understanding and support they need throughout the transition.
