In an inspiring moment that has captured national attention, teenager Joy Ogah took her place in history on Monday as she assumed the role of Nigeria’s Vice President for 24 hours, following an extraordinary gesture by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The symbolic handover took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a meeting between the Vice President and a delegation from PLAN International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Idiong. The move was part of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to promoting girl-child education and gender equality across the country.
Vice President Shettima, in his remarks, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to empowering young girls through inclusive policies and sustainable educational reforms. He emphasized that the government remains steadfast in its support for initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in education.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” Shettima said. “This government is gender friendly. We believe in inclusivity, and we cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation.”
Following his speech, Shettima invited Joy Ogah to take over his seat as Vice President for the day, a gesture that symbolizes the potential and leadership capacity of the Nigerian girl child.
Seated in the nation’s second highest office, Miss Ogah delivered a powerful address, calling on the government, policymakers, and development partners to take concrete actions toward advancing girl child education, protecting children’s rights, and ensuring that every girl has access to opportunities to thrive.
She urged the government to provide free sanitary products in schools, ensure adequate water and sanitation, and improve nutrition for the Nigerian child.
Ogah expressed concern that across Nigeria, 10.5 million children are currently out of school, with more than 60 percent of them being girls. She stressed that investing in girls’ education is not just a moral obligation but a strategic necessity for national progress.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria. When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she said. “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.”
Her speech received widespread praise from government officials and observers, who described it as a bold reminder of the power of youth voices in shaping the nation’s future.
The historic gesture by Vice President Shettima not only highlighted the administration’s stance on gender inclusivity but also underscored the belief that empowering young girls is central to building a stronger, more equitable Nigeria.
