By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
Secondary school students across the Federal Capital Territory have called for stronger protection of the rights of the girl child, including access to education, equal opportunities and greater participation in leadership.
The students made the call during the NILDS-European Union (EU) Inter-Secondary School Debate in Abuja.
This first phase formed part of a three-stage debate series organised to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The debate brought together students from 12 schools to discuss issues including discrimination, early marriage, gender roles, education, female circumcision and women’s participation in leadership.
Following the first round, six schools advanced to the second stage. They are Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji; Pacesetters College, Wuye; Government Girls Secondary School, Abaji; Government Science School, Maitama; Ambassador Global Academy, Kwali; and Baptist High School, Kubwa.
One of the participants, Bright Ekene of Government Science and Technical College, Kwali, said boys had a responsibility to support girls and discourage discrimination.
“Boys can support us by standing beside us, by discouraging discrimination in this society.”
Another participant, Ojeigo Amanda of Baptist High School, called for greater opportunities for Nigerian women in politics and leadership.
“Nigerian women do not have enough opportunities to engage in politics or leadership-related opportunities, mainly because females are not encouraged or motivated enough to go into those aspects.”
For Abul Ene of Government Science and Technical College, Kwali, the debate had boosted her confidence and helped her recognise the opportunities available to girls.
“It has given me courage and boldness to know that one day I may become something better in the future, and that all girls have equal opportunities to become who they are.”
Speaking on the initiative, NILDS Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, represented by the Acting Director, Department of Legislative Support Services, Prof. Amuda Kannike, stressed that empowering girls through education, equal opportunities and greater participation in public affairs was important to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Sulaiman also called for stronger legislation to protect and advance the rights of women and girls, noting that women bring valuable perspectives to governance.
The EU Policy Officer, Amira Haid, said the partnership with NILDS demonstrated the European Union’s commitment to empowering girls and tackling inequalities affecting them.
Haid noted that although progress had been made in girls’ education, challenges remained in areas including healthcare and gender equality.
Also speaking, NILDS Senior Research Fellow, Dr Doris Heron, commended the students for demonstrating a strong understanding of issues affecting the girl child.
She said the students effectively cited constitutional provisions, international treaties and other legal instruments during the debate, adding that the initiative would be developed into a broader annual programme.
One of the debate facilitators, Chima Anthony, called for increased recruitment of teachers and improved security in schools to provide a safer learning environment for girls.
He also encouraged greater support for male teachers to remain in the profession, noting that both male and female teachers have important roles to play in supporting girls and addressing challenges affecting their education and welfare.
The second round of the debate is scheduled for October 5, while the grand finale is expected to hold on October 12.
The NILDS-EU programme provides young people with a platform to engage with issues affecting the girl child while developing their research, public speaking and critical-thinking skills.
