A teenager, Joy Ogah, symbolically assumed the role of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day, using the opportunity to champion the rights and education of girls across Nigeria
The handover took place on Monday during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, according to a statement from the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday.
From Shettima’s chair, Ogah highlighted the challenges confronting girls in the country, noting that over 10.5 million children remain out of school, with girls making up more than 60 per cent of that number.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging policymakers to prioritise initiatives that protect and empower young girls.
Ogah also called for the government to provide free sanitary products in schools and ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and proper nutrition for all children. “Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence,” she added.
She stressed that protecting girls is essential for lasting peace. “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,” she said.
Vice President Shettima used the occasion to reaffirm President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and inclusive learning nationwide. “We will continue our engagement with PLAN International and leverage government resources to support your solid advice on girl-child education. In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can trust and invest in,” he said.
Recent reports indicate growing national momentum toward gender inclusivity in education. On October 20, 2025, advocacy groups called on all tiers of government to increase investment in girl-child education, mentorship, and sensitisation programs, and to combat gender bias in schools.
In September, the Federal Government launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774), aimed at supporting over 10 million women across all 774 local government areas with livelihood grants, digital inclusion, and clean energy initiatives.
The Ministry of Education and the National Assembly have also reinforced efforts to promote gender parity in learning. Recent workshops on inclusive education, combined with the Student Loans Act and increased education funding, reflect a sustained institutional commitment to equity—an agenda echoed in Joy Ogah’s symbolic “Vice President for a Day” advocacy.
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