At the Nigerian House of Representatives, 16-year-old gender advocate Miss Isabel Anani made history by stepping into the shoes of the Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, during Thursday’s plenary session. This remarkable event, which unfolded as part of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child celebrations, marked an unprecedented recognition of young female leadership and advocacy in Nigeria’s legislative process.
The Speaker’s decision to vacate his seat for Anani was a gesture of profound significance, meant to honor the day’s theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” Rep. Tajudeen noted the importance of the day, which sheds light on the challenges girls face globally while celebrating their resilience and potential to shape a better tomorrow. He emphasized that the participation of girls from public secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the plenary is a powerful reminder of the need for greater investment in the education and empowerment of young girls.
Anani, a UNICEF Young Influencer and the youngest member of Nigeria’s Technical Working Group for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, was chosen as the ‘Speaker for the Day’ after emerging as the top candidate in a nationwide competition. Her appointment signals a growing recognition of the crucial role young advocates play in shaping policies that impact their futures. Throughout the day, she shadowed Speaker Tajudeen, observing legislative proceedings and participating in key meetings as part of a mentorship initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders.
Addressing the House from the Speaker’s seat, Anani delivered a powerful message, envisioning a future where girls have equal opportunities to flourish, regardless of their backgrounds. She called for a world where education is not a privilege, but an essential tool for girls to make informed decisions about their lives. “I want a future where girls are not discriminated against for their bodily functions and are empowered to take charge in fields like STEM and politics,” she said.
The legislative session, chaired by Anani, saw the adoption of a motion to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. Moved by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, the motion highlighted the need for urgent collaboration between agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to combat drug abuse through education and rehabilitation programs, particularly targeting girls. The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Education to implement outreach programs to educate out-of-school girls across the country’s 36 states.
A key focus of the session was the call for the amendment of the Child’s Rights Act to strengthen protections for sexually abused children. Lawmakers urged the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the swift passage of gender-related bills, including the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB), which seeks to protect women and girls from discrimination and violence. The symbolic significance of Anani presiding over these discussions further underscored the House’s commitment to addressing gender inequalities in Nigerian society.
In her closing remarks, the young ‘Shadow Speaker’ highlighted the critical role girls will play in solving global challenges, from climate change to economic instability. “We need to ensure that for every girl, there is access to healthcare that understands her needs, quality education that enables her to reach her potential, and protection from violence,” Anani stated, calling on the House to take swift action to support girls across Nigeria.
