Girl Child Education: Teenager Joy Ogah Acts as Nigeria’s Vice President for a Day

It was an inspiring moment at the State House in Abuja on Monday as 16-year-old Joy Ogah symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima, serving as Nigeria’s Vice President for a day in a ceremony organized to promote girls’ education and leadership.

The event was part of activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child, organized by Plan International, a global development organization advocating for girls’ rights and empowerment.

‘Educate the Girl Child, Empower the Nation’

Taking her seat at the Vice President’s desk, Joy Ogah called on Nigerian authorities to invest in safe, inclusive schools and to enforce laws protecting girls.

She highlighted the alarming statistic that 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, most of them girls, and urged the government to provide free sanitary products and better sanitation facilities in schools to support girls’ education.

“When girls are educated, they become leaders, innovators, and change-makers. We must make our schools safe and accessible for every girl,” she said.

Shettima Praises Initiative

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who warmly invited Joy to take his seat, commended the symbolic gesture and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering the girl child through education.

He emphasized that the Tinubu administration is gender-inclusive, highlighting First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a model of female leadership and national service.

“Our administration believes in empowering women and girls. Educating the girl child is investing in the nation’s future,” Shettima said.

The brief but impactful event drew applause from education advocates, policymakers, and development partners, symbolizing hope for a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.

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