The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting, empowering, and amplifying the jvoices of Nigerian children, particularly adolescent girls, as part of ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive, safe, and equitable society.
Speaking at the High-Level Inter-Generational Dialogue with Adolescent Girls held at the Abuja Continental Hotel in commemoration of the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, declared that the Renewed Hope Administration is intentionally creating platforms where children are not only heard but actively influence national outcomes.
The Hon. Minister stated this while delivering her a keynote address under the theme “Her Voice, Her Power,” the Minister described Nigerian children as “present-day catalysts of transformation” whose voices must remain at the centre of national development.
“Before words were policy, before systems were built, there was a voice; small, unguarded, and full of possibility. A voice that asked to be heard not as a whisper at the margins, but as a force at the centre of nationhood,” she stated.
The Minister emphasized that the Federal Government’s mission remains deliberate, agile, and results-driven in addressing the developmental challenges confronting children and adolescents across the country.
According to her, the Ministry continues to strengthen the domestication of the Child Rights Act across the 36 states of the federation while intensifying enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act to guarantee protection for every Nigerian child regardless of geographical location.
She noted that the government has developed key policy instruments including the National Costed Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children, the National Costed Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage, and the Strategy for Ending Female Genital Mutilation, while also preparing to adopt the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Policy.
“These instruments are not symbolic; they are operational tools for justice, dignity, and protection,” the Minister stressed.
Highlighting the realities facing Nigerian girls, Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim revealed that nearly 30 percent of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence, while one in three girls is still married before the age of 18, especially in rural communities.
She further lamented the disproportionate number of girls affected by the out-of-school crisis, particularly in conflict-prone areas where vulnerability to exploitation and displacement remains high.
The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government, through the AGILE Project in collaboration with the World Bank, is scaling educational opportunities and digital literacy programmes to over 8.6 million girls across 18 states.
“Our mission is to move from data to dignity,” she affirmed.
In a major highlight of the event, the Honourable Minister announced the introduction of a National Podcast for Girls and Boys known as FutureNow, designed to provide Nigerian children with a safe and inclusive platform to share their stories, perspectives, and realities in their own authentic voices.
She explained that the initiative builds on the success of platforms such as the Yes Girl Podcast, which has amplified the lived experiences of adolescent girls across Africa.
“FutureNow will serve as an inclusive space where Nigerian boys and girls can articulate their realities, share their stories, and shape national discourse in their own authentic voices,” she said.
The Minister stressed that the government recognizes the importance of listening to children and creating environments that nurture confidence, identity, resilience, and leadership.
“Our vision is to raise boys who grow into empathetic allies, and girls who mature into strong, principled, and compassionate leaders,” she added.
Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim also commended development partners and stakeholders including UNICEF, SOS Children’s Villages, Save the Children, and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for their sustained support in advancing child protection, education, health, and digital safety initiatives across the country.
She further expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing the enabling environment for impactful child-focused policies and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“When we invest in her voice and we listen to their voices, we strengthen our collective national power. When we protect one child, we alter the trajectory of an entire generation,” the Minister concluded.
The event brought together adolescent girls and boys, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, youth advocates, and other stakeholders committed to promoting the rights, welfare, and empowerment of Nigerian children.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
FMWASD
