By NEWSCOUNT Desk
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), through its Youth Development Committee, has launched the Girls Leadership Nest initiative to empower secondary school girls with leadership skills, career guidance and educational support as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The initiative was launched during an engagement with female students of Ogbomoso High School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, under the theme, “Empowering Girls for Wholesome Leadership!”
The programme, led by Rachel Anyanwu, Chair of NILOWV’s Youth Development Committee, seeks to nurture a generation of confident, informed and responsible young women through mentorship, meaningful conversations and leadership development.
The engagement focused on three major areas: leadership, career development and education, providing the students with an interactive platform to reflect on their aspirations, explore their abilities and recognise their potential to become leaders in their chosen fields.
Discussions on leadership emphasised service, accountability and positive influence. The girls were encouraged to embrace leadership opportunities within their classrooms and school communities, speak confidently, take initiative and support one another.
On career development, the students were encouraged to look beyond traditional gender stereotypes and explore opportunities in diverse professional fields, particularly Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship and civic leadership.
They were urged to pursue their interests and ambitions without allowing gender-based expectations to limit their choices, while preparing themselves to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation.
Education was also highlighted as a foundation for personal development, independence and effective leadership. The students were encouraged to pursue academic excellence, cultivate discipline and uphold integrity as they work towards achieving their dreams.
The engagement further drew attention to child marriage as a barrier that can disrupt girls’ education and limit their opportunities to fulfil their potential. Participants stressed the importance of protecting the girl child and ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, develop her abilities and pursue her ambitions.
The students demonstrated enthusiasm throughout the programme, asking questions about career choices and reflecting on their responsibilities as emerging leaders. They expressed their determination to build a better future for themselves and their communities and pledged to serve as ambassadors of the Girls Leadership Nest initiative within their school.
The engagement was attended by NILOWV Students’ Coordinator, Ms. Ajiboye Hawawu; Oyo State Youth Leader, Ms. Adekunle Elizabeth; teachers of Ogbomoso High School; and other stakeholders committed to girl-child development.
In her report on the engagement, submitted on October 21, 2026, Hawawu said the initiative reinforced the importance of creating safe and supportive spaces where girls could express themselves, explore their aspirations, build confidence and develop the leadership skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to society.
NILOWV reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of female leaders through mentorship, civic education, leadership development and skills acquisition.
Through the Girls Leadership Nest initiative, the organisation seeks to sustain meaningful conversations with girls, equip them with practical life lessons and encourage them to recognise their worth, exercise their voices and take their rightful place in political and private-sector leadership and decision-making.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen girls’ confidence in their abilities and prepare them to participate actively in leadership roles, public life and other areas where decisions affecting their future are made.
NILOWV maintained that every girl has a voice and the potential to lead, stressing the importance of providing girls with the support and opportunities they need to develop their abilities and realise their aspirations.
