A Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, on Monday symbolically stepped into the role of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day using the rare platform to call for stronger government action on girl-child education and protection.
The symbolic handover took place during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality and Innovation.
From the Vice President’s chair, Ogah decried the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria over 10.5 million, with girls making up more than 60 percent urging policymakers to invest in safe, inclusive, and equitable education.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said.
“I may be Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, classrooms, and budgets.”
Ogah also called for free sanitary products, access to clean water, and better nutrition in schools to ensure girls can learn with dignity.
Vice President Shettima commended Ogah’s courage and reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and gender equality.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust. We will continue to work with PLAN International to strengthen girl-child education and inclusive learning across the country,” Shettima assured.
The initiative, part of PLAN International’s “Girls Take Over” campaign, aims to amplify young girls’ voices in leadership and policy spaces, promoting their rights to education, equality, and empowerment.
