NEWS
Teenager Becomes Nigeria’s Vice President for a Day, Advocates for Girl-Child Education and Empowerment
Teenager Becomes Nigeria’s Vice President for a Day, Advocates for Girl-Child Education and Empowerment
A Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, made headlines after symbolically taking over the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day, using the opportunity to champion girl-child education, menstrual hygiene, and gender equality across the country.
The symbolic event, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, took place during a courtesy visit by PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the organisation’s Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation. The initiative aimed to amplify the voices of young girls advocating for inclusive education and equal opportunities.
Joy Ogah Calls for Urgent Investment in Girls’ Education
Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Joy Ogah addressed key challenges facing the Nigerian girl child, noting that over 10.5 million children remain out of school, with girls accounting for more than 60 per cent of that figure.
She urged the government to prioritise safe, inclusive, and accessible education for every child, stressing that investment in girl-child education is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said. “Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, and dignity — not silence.”
Ogah further appealed for free sanitary products in schools, as well as improved access to clean water, sanitation, and nutrition for students. According to her, empowering girls through education would create a ripple effect that fosters peace, stability, and development.
“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. I may be Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent must continue in our policies, classrooms, conversations, and budgets,” she added.
Shettima Reaffirms Federal Government’s Commitment to Girl-Child Education
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the young advocate for her courage and leadership, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and inclusive learning nationwide.
“We will continue to engage with PLAN International and other stakeholders to ensure that the strength of government is brought to bear on promoting girl-child education. In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust,” Shettima said.
He emphasised that empowering girls through education is central to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to address educational inequality, expand access to digital learning, and enhance the participation of women and girls in national development.
National Push for Gender Equality in Education Gains Momentum
Recent developments indicate a growing national movement toward gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s education sector. Advocacy groups have continued to call on federal, state, and local governments to increase funding for girl-child education, mentorship programmes, and community sensitisation.
In September 2025, the Federal Government launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774) programme, targeting over 10 million women across all 774 local government areas. The initiative aims to empower women through livelihood grants, digital inclusion projects, and clean energy entrepreneurship.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Assembly have pledged greater support for gender parity, inclusive learning policies, and sustainable funding for educational infrastructure nationwide.
Joy Ogah’s Advocacy Reflects Renewed National Vision
Education experts and civil society organisations have applauded Joy Ogah’s symbolic leadership role, describing it as a reminder that young girls deserve a voice in shaping national policy. Her advocacy aligns with ongoing government efforts to enhance access to quality education through initiatives like the Student Loans Act, education budget expansion, and public-private partnerships for school development.
Observers believe that empowering girls through education not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to economic growth, reduced child marriage rates, and improved maternal health outcomes.
Discover more from 9jaPolyTv
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
