Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls’ education, healthcare and overall well-being.
Tinubu made the call in a statement commemorating the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed globally on Sunday, October 11.
This year’s celebration is themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights” and aims to raise awareness of issues affecting girls while promoting their rights, welfare and development.
The First Lady stressed that harmful traditional practices, discrimination and violence should not prevent girls from achieving their full potential.
She urged families, community leaders, political leaders and policymakers to take deliberate steps to protect the rights of the girl child and ensure equal opportunities for girls to pursue their ambitions.
According to her, every girl deserves access to quality education and the freedom to develop her abilities, regardless of her background or circumstances.
“Every girl deserves the freedom to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams without discrimination, violence or harmful practices limiting her future,” she said.
Tinubu noted that protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices required collective efforts from families, communities and government institutions.
She also emphasised that investment in girls should extend beyond education to include healthcare and other essential services needed to support their overall development.
The First Lady maintained that empowering girls would contribute to stronger families, more prosperous communities and national development.
“When girls thrive, families prosper, communities grow stronger, and nations advance,” she stated.
She congratulated girls across the world on the occasion and reaffirmed the need to create an environment where they could pursue their aspirations without fear, discrimination or unnecessary limitations.
