A Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, on Monday symbolically assumed the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day, using the opportunity to advocate for the rights and education of girls across the country.
The symbolic takeover, announced in a statement by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday, took place during a meeting between Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Mfonobong Idiong.
From the Vice President’s chair, Ogah spoke passionately about the challenges confronting Nigerian girls, noting that more than 10.5 million children are out of school, with girls making up over 60 per cent of that number.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging government and stakeholders to prioritise interventions that protect and empower young girls.
Ogah also called for the provision of free sanitary products in schools and improved access to clean water, sanitation, and nutrition. “Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence,” she stated.
She added, “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.”
Vice President Shettima commended Ogah for her courage and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and inclusive learning nationwide.
“We will continue our engagement with PLAN International and see where the strength of government can be brought to bear on your valuable advice,” Shettima said, assuring that “in President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in.”
The event comes amid renewed national efforts to promote gender inclusivity in education. Advocacy groups have recently intensified calls for increased investment in girl-child education, mentorship, and sensitisation programmes across all levels of government.
In line with this momentum, the Federal Government in September launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774) to empower over 10 million women across 774 local government areas through livelihood support, digital inclusion, and clean energy initiatives.
Government initiatives such as the Student Loans Act, increased education funding, and workshops on inclusive education continue to underscore Nigeria’s commitment to equity — a cause strongly echoed in Joy Ogah’s symbolic “Vice President for a Day” advocacy.
