Teenager Becomes Nigeria's Vice President for a Day: Advocates for Girls' Education and Empowerment

In an inspiring turn of events, a Nigerian teenager, Joy Ogah, stepped into the seat of power—symbolically taking over the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day. Her brief but powerful leadership moment carried a profound message: Nigeria must invest more in the education and empowerment of its girls.

The symbolic takeover, which took place on Tuesday 21st of October 2025, was organized during a courtesy visit by PLAN International to the Office of the Vice President. The delegation, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation, aimed to promote young girls’ participation in leadership and decision-making.

From the Vice President’s chair, Joy Ogah spoke with poise and conviction, shining a light on one of Nigeria’s most pressing issues — the education gap between boys and girls.

“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she declared, her voice echoing the dreams of millions of young girls across the nation.

According to Joy, more than 10.5 million children remain out of school in Nigeria, and over 60 percent of them are girls. She urged policymakers and stakeholders to take bold steps in ensuring equal access to quality education, especially for young girls in rural communities.

Her symbolic leadership underscores the importance of platforms that give young people—especially girls—a voice in governance and national discourse. Through initiatives like this, Nigeria continues to witness the rise of a new generation of changemakers who are not just future leaders but leaders of today.

The event also highlighted PLAN International’s commitment to gender equality and youth inclusion, emphasizing the need to break barriers that hinder girls’ participation in education and leadership.

As Joy Ogah gracefully handed back the seat to Vice President Shettima, her message remained clear and powerful — the future of Nigeria depends on educated, empowered girls who dare to dream, lead, and create change.