President Bola Tinubu made a powerful speech in Abuja that echoed through the halls. He vowed that under his leadership, every Nigerian child will be able to get quality education, no matter their family situation or background. His words showed strong determination during the launch of the #WeareEqual campaign by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development on Monday.
Tinubu knows education is the foundation for a nation’s progress. He stressed how crucial it is for fostering development and ensuring equal opportunities for all, especially girls who are often left behind. He praised the #WeareEqual campaign for focusing on health, education, economic empowerment, and stopping violence against women across 15 African countries.
“We must keep creating opportunities for all our children to access quality education, not leaving anyone out, particularly the girl child,” Tinubu declared with a determined voice. “We must build a society where everyone gets the same opportunities, no matter who they are, because that leads to a stronger and more peaceful society for all.”
Drawing from his time as Lagos State governor, Tinubu spoke from personal experience of seeing challenges that block bright futures for young girls – teenage pregnancies they didn’t want, domestic violence, human trafficking, and drug addiction troubles.
In a touching moment, Tinubu praised the First Lady for restarting the Alternative High School for Girls program, giving hope to those whose education was interrupted. With the first school’s foundation recently laid in Osun State, and more planned nationwide with state government, education commission and partner support, Tinubu’s commitment to give second chances became real.
“Research consistently shows education is the cornerstone for national development,” Tinubu stated with conviction to break barriers. “When girls are empowered to chase their dreams, communities thrive, economies grow, and nations succeed.”
But Tinubu went beyond just words, stressing bold action is needed to tear down inequalities long holding African women back. He pushed for laws/policies protecting women’s rights, major investment in girls’ education/skills, and creating economic opportunities for all genders.
Highlighting Nigerian government efforts, Tinubu underlined the importance of enabling the Students’ Loan Act, so money issues don’t stop any young person’s education dreams. He also highlighted the N50,000 grant for one million Nigerians in small businesses and skilled work – a lifeline for empowering women and youth economically.
Speaking to the African First Ladies, Tinubu passionately requested mentorship for guiding young girls to embrace their cultural identities and traditions proudly. In a world promoting sameness, he reminded them of the richness and resilience of African heritage – its warmth, hospitality, generosity, and unbeatable spirit in facing challenges.
As his speech ended, Tinubu’s words held the weight of a solemn promise engraved in Nigeria’s history: “I confirm my dedication to making sure every Nigerian child gets a good education, preparing women and girls to lead and make positive changes in our communities.”
In that moment, Tinubu’s strong determination rang out, urging us to work towards a future where every Nigerian child, no matter their gender or situation, can get a good education. This will help them reach their full potential and build a nation where everyone is equal, empowered, and has endless opportunities.
