Our #OnePerson for May 2025 is Sarah Kuponiyi
Sarah Kuponiyi is a dedicated Nigerian public health professional and social entrepreneur whose work has significantly impacted adolescent health and menstrual equity across Nigeria. Sarah’s journey into advocacy was deeply personal. As a young girl, she faced difficulties affording sanitary pads — an experience shared by many girls. This experience inspired her commitment to menstrual health advocacy and led her to establish Alora Reusable Pads, a social enterprise producing eco-friendly menstrual products to help ensure no girl misses out on education or dignity because of her period.
To date, over 20,000 reusable pads have been distributed, significantly reducing school absenteeism among girls and promoting menstrual hygiene awareness. Alora not only provides sustainable menstrual solutions but also offers menstrual health education, aiming to empower girls and women to manage their periods with dignity and confidence.
In addition to Alora, Sarah founded the A Well-Informed Adolescent (AWA) Initiative in 2018, focusing on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Through AWA, she has created and managed safe spaces for young people, providing them with access to essential sexual and reproductive health education, mental health services, and life skills training. AWA’s programs also include weekly sessions on age-appropriate sexuality education, youth-friendly services that promote overall development, and health and livelihood initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes and economic empowerment. These efforts empower adolescents to make informed decisions and lead healthy lives.
Sarah’s impactful work has garnered international recognition. She was awarded the Chevening Scholarship in 2022, allowing her to pursue a Master’s in Public Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In 2024, she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, participating in the U.S. Department of State’s flagship program for young African leaders. Her contributions have also been acknowledged by organizations such as UN Women, where she serves as a National Gender Youth Activist, and USAID Nigeria, which recommends her educational materials, including her books Teens Blueprint and My Period, for youth empowerment and menstrual health education.
Committed to evidence-based advocacy, Sarah was awarded the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Early Career Research Grant in 2023. Her research focuses on the implementation of menstrual health hygiene policies in English-speaking West African countries, aiming to inform and influence policy for better health outcomes. In 2025, Sarah’s exceptional contributions were further recognized when she received the British Council Study UK Alumni Award in the Social Action category, honoring her outstanding work in promoting adolescent health and menstrual equity in Nigeria. Sarah holds a degree in Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), which laid the foundation for her career in public health.
Through her multifaceted initiatives, Sarah Kuponiyi continues to inspire and empower adolescents, particularly girls, to overcome challenges related to menstrual health and access to education. Her work not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the foundation for a more equitable and informed society.
Let’s celebrate Sarah Kuponiyi for her unwavering dedication to improving menstrual health and empowering youth in Nigeria.
