Teen Joy Ogah takes over as one-day vice president, urging leaders to strengthen girl-child education and promote equal opportunities for Nigerian girls.
A teenage advocate, Joy Ogah, stepped into history as she symbolically took over the office of the Vice President of Nigeria for one day, using her platform to promote girl-child education and call for greater inclusion of Nigerian girls in leadership and learning opportunities.
Speaking from the Vice President’s seat, Ogah passionately urged government and stakeholders to intensify efforts toward girl-child education.
According to the sratement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President on October 21, 2025, she expressed gratitude for the chance to represent millions of girls across Nigeria who still face barriers to schooling.
According to her, over 10.5 million children are out of school, with girls accounting for more than 60 percent of that figure.
Ogah emphasized that if given the right support, Nigerian girls can lead and drive national progress.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, highlighting the importance of protection, access, and equal opportunities in promoting girl-child education.
She called on authorities to enforce laws that protect girls’ rights and advocated for free sanitary products, water, and sanitation in schools.
“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she declared.
In her words, “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, classrooms, and budgets.”
During the ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s unwavering commitment to girl-child education and gender equality. He noted that empowering the girl-child remains crucial for Nigeria’s development and growth.
Shettima, who hosted a delegation from PLAN International led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong, emphasized the role of the government’s school feeding initiative in keeping girls in school.
“Studies show that well-nourished children are well-formed. We will continue collaborating with PLAN International to strengthen girl-child education across the country,” he said.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu’s administration remains gender-inclusive, describing the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a shining example of how an empowered girl-child can evolve into a great national leader.
“We believe in inclusivity. We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” Shettima added.
Earlier in her remarks, Helen Idiong of PLAN International commended the Nigerian government for its openness to partnership. She explained that the organization has reached over 11 million Nigerian children through interventions in education, youth development, and entrepreneurship.
She recalled that in 2024, PLAN International led a similar advocacy effort where a girl took over the Speaker’s seat in the House of Representatives and successfully pushed for the removal of VAT on sanitary pads and diapers—an initiative now reflected in the Tax Reforms Act.
Ogah, representing the organization, acknowledged this progress and called on the government to further expand access to education for girls, noting that affordability and school safety remain essential pillars of girl-child education.
Vice President Shettima concluded by assuring that the government’s doors remain open to continuous engagement with development partners like PLAN International. He emphasized that empowering girls would secure Nigeria’s future.
The symbolic handover of the Vice President’s seat to Joy Ogah was not just a ceremonial gesture—it represented a bold statement that Nigeria’s future depends on the success of girl-child education.
More news at ireport247news
About The Author
