Vice President: Teenager, Joy Ogah Takes Over Shettima’s Seat For One Day

A teenager, Joy Ogah, on Monday stepped into the shoes of Vice President Kashim Shettima, symbolically occupying his seat for a day, and used the moment to champion the cause of girl-child education and empowerment across Nigeria.

The symbolic takeover took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a meeting between the Vice President and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, the organisation’s Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.

The Office of the Vice President confirmed the event in a statement released on Tuesday.

Speaking from the Vice President’s chair, Ogah delivered a passionate address calling for urgent investments in inclusive and safe education for Nigerian children.

“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said.

Ogah noted that over 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, more than 60 per cent of whom are girls, describing the situation as “a moral and national emergency.”

She urged government at all levels to provide free sanitary products in schools, ensure access to clean water and proper nutrition, and create safe learning environments for all.

“Every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence,” she said. “When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. 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.”

Responding, Vice President Kashim Shettima commended Ogah’s courage and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to promoting inclusive learning and protecting the rights of girls.

“We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education,” Shettima said.

He added, “In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in.”

The event comes amid renewed national efforts to promote gender inclusivity in education. Advocacy groups have consistently called on the government to expand mentorship, scholarships, and sensitisation programmes aimed at eliminating gender bias in schools.

On October 20, 2025, stakeholders at a national dialogue urged all tiers of government to invest more in girl-child education, warning that social and economic progress remains impossible without it.

Similarly, in September, the Federal Government launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774) programme, targeting 10 million women across all 774 local government areas, with livelihood grants, digital inclusion, and clean energy projects.

The Federal Ministry of Education, working with the National Assembly, has also pledged sustained funding and legislative support for equitable access to education.

Recent reforms, including the Student Loans Act, increased education funding, and new workshops on inclusive education, reflect the government’s drive to close gender gaps in learning.

For Joy Ogah, the moment symbolised more than an opportunity — it was a call to action.

Her symbolic “Vice President for a Day” role captured the voices of millions of Nigerian girls seeking education, safety, and opportunity.

And as she returned to her seat among her peers, one message lingered:

“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible.”