Teenager Joy Ogah Becomes ‘Vice President for a Day’ to Champion Girl-Child Education

In a powerful, symbolic gesture for gender equality and inclusive education in Nigeria, a passionate teenager, Joy Ogah, recently took over the seat of the Vice President for a day. During her time in office, Ogah used the high-profile platform to make an urgent and heartfelt case for prioritizing girl-child education and ensuring every Nigerian child has access to safe, quality learning environments.

A Day in the Office, A Message for the Nation

The event, which saw Vice President Kashim Shettima step aside, was part of a partnership with Plan International, a global development organization. Joy Ogah, speaking with the authority of the office, highlighted the startling reality facing the nation: 10.5 million children are out of school across Nigeria, with over 60% of that number being girls.

Her key policy recommendations and calls to action focused on practical, immediate interventions:

• Enforce Laws that protect the rights of every girl-child.
• Invest in Education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria.
• Provide Free Sanitary Products in schools to tackle period poverty, a major barrier to attendance for adolescent girls.
• Ensure Improved Access to water, sanitation, and nutrition for all Nigerian children.
  Why Girl-Child Education is Crucial for Nigeria’s Future
  Ogah’s address underscored the widely accepted truth that investing in girls’ education is not just a moral obligation but a strategic national imperative. Educated girls are more likely to:
• Marry Later and have fewer, healthier children.
• Earn Higher Incomes, which they reinvest into their families and communities.
• Contribute significantly to a nation’s economic growth and stability.
  “When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” Ogah stated, adding, “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 reaffirmed the government’s commitment, describing the administration as “gender-friendly” and emphasizing the belief in inclusivity. “We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” he noted.