…Unveils Initiative to Empower Girls, Tackle Child Marriage

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has called on Nigerians to invest in girls’ education, healthcare and skills development, warning that child marriage continues to undermine the potential and future of young girls.

The ministry made the call as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, emphasising the need for collective action to protect girls’ rights, expand their opportunities and promote their participation in leadership and decision-making.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Gender Matters, Kehinde Charity Awujoola, the ministry described investment in girls as a strategic necessity for national development.

“Every time a young girl is forced into marriage, a light is dimmed, a dream is deferred, and our nation loses a potential leader, doctor, or innovator,” the statement said.

It added that investing in girls’ education, health and skills was not an act of charity but an investment in the country’s collective future.

“When we empower a girl, we empower a generation,” the statement added.

As part of efforts to translate its commitment to girls’ empowerment into action, the ministry announced plans for a Girls’ Future Conference, which will bring young girls together with mentors, policymakers and industry leaders to equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue leadership opportunities.

The ministry also unveiled the National Girls Creative Competition, an initiative designed to amplify girls’ voices and encourage them to use creative expression to raise awareness about child marriage and girls’ rights.

The competition, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Right!”, is open to Nigerian girls aged 10 to 20.

According to the organisers, participants are required to produce original creative videos of not more than 120 seconds, using formats such as spoken word, poetry, dramatic monologue, storytelling or song to address the theme.

Entries are to be published on TikTok, Instagram, X or Facebook using the hashtag #GFC2026CreativeCompetition, while participants are expected to tag the ministry’s official account and the Girls’ Future Conference network.

The submission deadline is October 18, 2026.

The ministry disclosed that the first-place winner would have the opportunity to serve as Minister of Youth Development for 24 hours in a shadow ministerial capacity, while the top three winners would receive cash prizes and opportunities to participate in the Girls’ Future Conference 2026.

Describing the competition as an opportunity for young girls to contribute to public conversations, the statement said it was “a platform for your voices to be heard.”

It added that the winner would have the opportunity to occupy the ministerial seat, engage in policy conversations and demonstrate the leadership potential of young Nigerian girls.

The ministry stressed that ending child marriage must go hand in hand with sustained investment in girls’ education, healthcare and skills, noting that empowering girls would benefit families, communities and the country at large.

Addressing young girls, the statement said: “Your dreams are valid, your voice matters, and your leadership is required.”

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote the rights of girls and draw attention to the challenges they face, including discrimination, gender-based violence, limited access to education and harmful practices such as child marriage.

The ministry’s message underscores the need for sustained efforts to ensure that girls can access education, develop their talents, exercise their rights and participate meaningfully in shaping their futures.