The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending child marriage and expanding educational opportunities for girls through stronger legal protection, mentorship and technology-driven skills development.
Government officials and stakeholders made the commitment on Friday at the 2026 Girl-Child Day Innovate-Eko STEAM Mentorship Series held at Lagos State University of Education, Oto-Ijanikin.
The event, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, commemorated the International Day of the Girl-Child, observed globally on October 11. It had the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the state was expanding access to quality education, improving science laboratories and digital learning facilities, and strengthening policies against discrimination.
He said the Innovate-Eko initiative equipped girls with problem-solving skills, creativity and confidence while connecting them with experienced women in science, engineering, technology and creative industries.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, represented by Dorosimi Olajumoke of the Office of the Chief of Staff, stressed the importance of equal opportunities in helping girls realise their potential.
She urged stakeholders to educate, protect and encourage girls, noting that their inclusion was essential to society’s future.
Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Miranda, called for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and sustained investment in girls’ education.
Miranda said governments, families, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities must work together to protect girls from harmful cultural practices.
“A law that is not enforced leaves a child exposed. Cultural sensitivity must never become an excuse for violating a child’s rights,” she said.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Secondary Education, Opeyemi Eniola, urged stakeholders to support girls through scholarships, mentorship, vocational training and stronger protection against gender-based violence.
“A girl child deserves a book, not a wedding ring; a classroom, not a forced marriage, and the freedom to shape her own future,” he said.
Eniola added that training in artificial intelligence, robotics and data analytics could prepare girls for emerging employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. He also urged parents and community leaders to reject child marriage and support girls’ right to education.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, encouraged girls to remain focused on their studies and resist pressure to marry early.
He urged them to draw inspiration from successful women at the event and prepare themselves for future leadership roles.
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilayo Rhodes-Vivour, advised girls to protect their privacy, recognise inappropriate advances and speak up against unwanted physical contact.
She encouraged them to report anyone who violated their personal boundaries.
Princess Damilola Sonayo-James, the All Progressives Congress deputy governorship candidate in Lagos, said the state’s Child’s Rights Law prohibited child marriage and guaranteed girls whose education was interrupted by pregnancy the opportunity to return to school after childbirth.
She said the state’s action plan for empowering female adolescents prioritised education, healthcare, economic opportunities and social protection.
Sonayo-James added that science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes, alongside mentorship initiatives, were helping girls overcome barriers to education.
She also highlighted Project Zero and the Lagos Education Assistance Fund as initiatives supporting efforts to return out-of-school children to classrooms.
The APC chieftain called for balanced interventions that protected both girls and boys, stressing that sustained investment in education, protection and leadership opportunities was essential to building a safer society.
The event featured a panel discussion during which participants asked questions and received guidance from speakers.
Sonayo-James distributed copies of a book titled Who Is She to the girls, while Ogunlende presented cash awards to some participants who demonstrated boldness during the question-and-answer session.