Nigeria has renewed its commitment to advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of girls through deliberate policy action and social impact programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on the sidelines of an advocacy walk in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the ministry is taking “deliberate steps to strengthen policies and expand protection for the girl child.”
The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government is determined to leave no child behind under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The message is really clear it’s not just girls o’clock in Nigeria. The girl child is very important for any society. They are the future mothers, the future leaders, home makers, and community builders. We must have a strong agenda for them, which is the intention of Mr. President. My message for them is to continue to dream big and know that we’ve got their back. It’s truly girls’ o’clock!” She stated
Development Partners Commendation
Country Director of Save the Children International, Mr. Duncan Harvey, commended the partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in amplifying girls’ voices.
“It’s wonderful to have girls from around the country talk about their aspirations. For Save the Children, we just want to give them the platform to share their hopes for the future and provide leadership,” he said.
Similarly, Ms. Ginika Ukoha of the Pink Up For Girls Foundation noted that the organisation is working to support girls facing hardship.
“We’ve seen many girls in the North and East face child marriage and poverty. We want to show them that they are more than their situation and that we are here to help them believe in themselves.” Ukoha explained.
Young Voices, Big Dreams
Nine-year-old Nneoma Nwosu expressed her dreams for the Nigerian girl child, saying she hopes “they will be successful in everything they do and live long to see their children and mothers.”
She added cheerfully that girls “should have a free holiday for the day.”
For sixteen-year-old Anuoluwapo Fadeyeibi, education remains a top priority.
“Girls should be able to build a future they want without relying on anything but their mind, courage, and grit. The government should improve education and living standards so they can build better futures.”
Safiya Alkali Ajikolo, a member of the Borno State Children’s Parliament and Save the Children’s Girl Champions Initiative, called for urgent action on education and child marriage.
“Education and ending child marriage should be a priority because from the community I come from, which is Borno State, child rights violations are too much, and the number of out-of-school children keeps increasing every single day. Education should be a priority for girls in Nigeria.” She said.
Health and Policy Perspectives
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, paediatrician and President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), described girls as “a vital part of our nation’s development.”
“Our governments, policymakers, and private sector must put them at the front of all decisions. Many girls are facing educational, health, and mental challenges that hinder their growth,” she said.
Dr. Bagudu also commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for its “dynamic leadership” under Sulaiman-Ibrahim, adding: “When appropriating funds for national development, we must focus on initiatives that affect the girl child. Parents should immunise their daughters, teach them self-examination, and empower them through education.”
A Shared Vision for the Future
The 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Abuja reaffirmed Nigeria’s collective resolve to protect and empower its daughters. From ministries to states, development partners to young girls, one message resonated girls are not just the future; they are the now.
In the voices of the girls who marched, dreamed, and spoke lies the true promise of Nigeria’s tomorrow: bold, brilliant, and unafraid to lead the change they seek.