As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, stakeholders have renewed calls for sustained investment, stronger legal protection, and inclusive empowerment for Nigerian girls.
The Director-General of Dr Maryam Babangida National Women Development Centre, Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir described the Nigerian girl as a “national treasure,” stressing that investing in her education is investing in the nation.
“The Nigerian girl should consider herself a treasure to the nation. Because educating a woman or investing in a woman is investing in the nation. So, girls are the future leaders of this country. And they are the future models. Therefore, I call on Nigerians to invest in the girl child,” Babangida said.
A mathematician by training, Dr Bashir encouraged girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, noting that there is no difference in learning ability between boys and girls.
“We have the same teachers who teach the boy child and the girl child. We have the same brain. The only difference is in sex. Therefore, every girl should take herself as equal to the boy when it comes to education. And the future is very bright for girls if they take the challenges of being science students.”
The Dean of the Commissioners of Women Affairs and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Cross River State, Edema Irom called for greater attention to gender-based violence and stronger legal frameworks to protect girls.
She stressed the need for safe spaces and rehabilitation for survivors.
Chinny Okoye, Special Assistant to the Minister of Women Affairs on Strategic Partnerships and Communications, said meaningful transformation must start early.
“We need to start from scratch, tackling all the issues that these girls are facing. There are so many issues girls are facing. The issues girls are facing are the same issues that women are facing, but even worse because they’re children. So we need to start from the beginning.”
She emphasised education and early empowerment for both genders.
Similarly, medical practitioner Dr Julie Essien urged equal focus on the boy child in advocacy.
Meanwhile, youth advocate Maryam Belgore said every girl must feel seen and heard.
“Every girl must feel seen, heard, and they must feel at home in their own nation. Whatever it is that we do, we must remember that we are today, but they are tomorrow. As grown-ups, as adults, we are here right now, but they are coming right behind us. And this nation must be ready to receive them for greatness,” she said.
The 2025 theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” prioritises inclusive leadership, social protection, and human capital development.
From policy reforms to grassroots advocacy, stakeholders reaffirmed that empowering the girl child is central to building a just and prosperous Nigeria.