First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls’ education, healthcare, and general well-being.

She said harmful traditional practices, discrimination, and violence must not be allowed to undermine their future.

The First Lady urged families, communities, political leaders, and policymakers to take deliberate steps towards protecting the rights of the girl child and creating an environment in which every girl can pursue her aspirations without fear or limitations.

Mrs. Tinubu spoke yesterday in Abuja during the commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, observed globally on October 11. The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”

According to her, the occasion provides an opportunity to celebrate the strength, potential, leadership, and voices of girls across the world, while renewing commitments to eliminating practices that threaten their development.

“On the International Day of the Girl 2026, observed under the theme: End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights, we celebrate the voices, strength, potential, and leadership of girls everywhere,” she stated.

Mrs. Tinubu emphasised that every girl deserves equal opportunities to acquire education, develop her potential, and realise her dreams, irrespective 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,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

The First Lady stressed that protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices requires collective responsibility, particularly from families, community leaders, and those responsible for formulating and implementing public policies.

She said investment in the girl-child should extend beyond education to include healthcare and other essential interventions that guarantee her overall well-being and development.

“I encourage families, communities, leaders, and policymakers to protect the rights of every girl, end child marriage, and invest in her education, health, and general well-being. When girls thrive, families prosper, communities grow stronger, and nations advance,” she said.

Mrs. Tinubu underscored the connection between the empowerment of girls and broader societal development, maintaining that protecting their rights and providing opportunities for their growth would ultimately benefit families, communities and nations.

She also congratulated girls across the world on the occasion, reaffirming the importance of recognising their potential and ensuring that harmful practices do not prevent them from fulfilling their aspirations. (The Nation)