A teenager, Joy Ogah, symbolically assumed the position of Vice President Kashim Shettima for one day, using the opportunity to passionately advocate for the rights and education of girls across Nigeria.
According to a statement released by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday, the symbolic handover occurred on Monday during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.
Sitting in the vice president’s chair, Ogah addressed the numerous challenges confronting girls in Nigeria, observing that more than 10.5 million children are still out of school, with over 60 per cent of them being girls.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise initiatives that protect and empower young girls.
Ogah further called on the government to provide free sanitary products in schools and to ensure access to clean water, proper nutrition, and adequate sanitation for all children. She emphasised that every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.
“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. 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 also took the opportunity to reaffirm President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to promoting girl-child education and inclusive learning throughout the nation.
“We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” Shettima said.
Recent reports have shown increasing national momentum towards gender inclusivity in education. On October 20, 2025, advocacy organisations urged all levels of government to invest more in girl-child education, mentorship, and awareness programmes, emphasising the need for stronger action to eradicate gender bias in schools.
In September, the Federal Government introduced the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774), which aims to reach more than 10 million women across the 774 local government areas through livelihood support, digital inclusion, and clean energy projects.
Likewise, both the Ministry of Education and the National Assembly have renewed their commitment to ensuring gender equality and broad access to education.
The government’s recent workshop on inclusive education, alongside the implementation of the Student Loans Act and increased education funding, demonstrates a continued institutional dedication to fairness and equality — a vision that aligns with Joy Ogah’s symbolic “Vice President for a Day” advocacy.
