Joy Ogah vice president for a day girl-child education Nigeria
Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, symbolically handed over his role for a day to 14-year-old Joy Ogah, allowing her to sit in his chair at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This gesture took place on 20 October 2025 during a meeting with a delegation from PLAN International, and is part of the administration’s push for girl-child education and equal opportunity.
While acting in the role of “Vice President for a day,” Joy Ogah delivered an address emphasising the importance of safe, inclusive education for every girl-child in Nigeria. She pointed out that over 10.5 million children are out of school, with more than 60 percent of them being girls. She called for free sanitary products in schools, better water and sanitation infrastructure, and nutritional support for students. “When girls are protected, peace becomes possible,” she declared from the Vice President’s chair.
Vice President Shettima used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment—on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—to gender-inclusive policies and girl-child education. He reiterated that the government views girls not as beneficiaries alone but as potential leaders, noting that “we cannot disenfranchise half of our population and expect to grow as a nation.” He also highlighted the school-feeding programme and other interventions as key to keeping children, especially girls, in school.
The symbolic handover is designed to promote youth empowerment and reinforce the message that leadership opportunities should be accessible to all, regardless of gender or age. By allowing a teenage girl to occupy one of the highest offices—even for a day—the event aims to shift perceptions about what girls can achieve and encourage investment in their education and development.
