VP Shettima hands over seat to teenager to promote Girl-Child Education

In a symbolic gesture of mentorship and empowerment, Vice President Kashim Shettima stepped aside on Monday to allow teenager Joy Ogah take over his seat as Nigeria’s Vice President for one day.

The initiative, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was part of an event hosted by the Vice President for a delegation from Plan International, led by its Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, Helen Idiong. The occasion underscored the Tinubu administration’s commitment to promoting girl-child education and gender equality across the country.

Addressing the delegation, Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to advancing girl-child education through several interventions, including the school feeding programme. He noted that President Tinubu remains a dependable ally in the fight for equal educational opportunities.

“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” he said, adding that the administration remains gender-friendly and inclusive.

The Vice President also praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a shining example of how empowering the girl-child can produce strong, visionary leaders. He recalled her impactful contributions to legislative debates on girl-child education during her time in the Senate.

“We cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation,” Shettima stated.

After his remarks, he invited Joy Ogah to assume his seat and address the nation as “Vice President for a Day.”

Speaking from the Vice President’s chair, Ogah made an impassioned call for stronger government and community action to promote girl-child education, protect children’s rights, and provide access to essential resources such as sanitary products, clean water, and nutrition in schools.

She expressed concern that about 10.5 million Nigerian children remain out of school, with over 60 percent being girls.

“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.”

The event served as a powerful reminder of the government’s pledge to empower young girls and ensure their voices shape the nation’s future.