A Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, stepped into the shoes of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day to spotlight the urgent need for girl-child education.
The symbolic takeover took place at the State House after Shettima invited Ogah during a meeting with a delegation from Plan International, a global NGO advocating for children’s rights and girls’ empowerment.
From the vice-president’s seat, Ogah voiced gratitude for the opportunity to represent millions of Nigerian girls deprived of education. She cited figures showing that 10.5 million children in Nigeria are currently out of school, with girls making up more than 60 percent.
“Nigerian girls can become leaders if we implement the right interventions,” she said. “We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child.”
Ogah urged the government to enforce laws protecting the rights of girls, ensure access to free sanitary products in schools, and improve water, sanitation, and nutrition.
“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said. “I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets.”
Vice President Shettima, in his remarks, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to girl-child education and female empowerment. He described the school feeding programme as a cornerstone of government efforts to keep children in school, noting that “well-nourished children are well-formed.”
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust,” Shettima said. “This government is gender-friendly and believes in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation.”
