Minister Unveils \u2018FutureNow\u2019 Podcast for Nigerian Girls and Boys at Children\u2019s Day Dialogue<\/p>\n
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has launched a new national podcast platform, _FutureNow_, to amplify the voices of Nigerian adolescent girls and boys in shaping national discourse.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made during a High-Level Inter-Generational Dialogue held at the Abuja Continental Hotel to commemorate the 2026 National Children\u2019s Day, under the theme \u201cHer Voice, Her Power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn advancing this vision of voice and expression, we commend the growing impact of platforms such as the Yes Girl podcast, which has elevated the lived experiences and perspectives of adolescent girls across Africa,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding on this momentum, we are proud to introduce a National Podcast for Girls and Boys called _FutureNow_. This initiative will serve as an inclusive space where Nigerian boys and girls can articulate their realities, share their stories, and shape national discourse in their own authentic voices.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister stated that in the \u201cnew Nigeria,\u201d the government is intentional about ensuring children\u2019s voices influence outcomes.
\n\u201cIn this new Nigeria, we are intentional about one principle: the voices of both our girls and our boys must not only be heard\u2014they must influence outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to domesticating the Child Rights Act across all 36 states and intensifying enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
\nRegionally, Nigeria is drawing strength from the Maputo Protocol and has developed:<\/p>\n
– National Costed Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children
\n– National Costed Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage
\n– Strategy for Ending Female Genital Mutilation<\/p>\n
Citing national data, Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted:<\/p>\n
– Approximately 30% of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence.
\n– One in three girls is married before age 18, rising to 48% in rural areas.
\n– Girls remain the most affected among millions of out-of-school children, particularly in conflict-prone regions.<\/p>\n
The Minister highlighted the AGILE project with the World Bank, which is scaling educational opportunities and digital literacy to over _8.6 million girls across 18 states_. She stressed that investments must go beyond physical protection to include psychosocial wellbeing, emotional resilience, and character development.<\/p>\n
Sulaiman-Ibrahim encouraged Nigerian girls and boys to pursue their dreams, acquire quality education, cultivate positive relationships, and uphold respect and good conduct, in order to position themselves for the opportunities government is creating for them.<\/p>\n
She commended UNICEF, SOS Children\u2019s Villages, Save the Children International, and sister MDAs for sustained technical and systemic support.<\/p>\n
The Minister also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for \u201ccreating the enabling environment for our policies and programmes to deliver impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
In conclusion, Sulaiman-Ibrahim linked investment in children\u2019s voices to national progress:
\n\u201cWhen we invest in her voice and we listen to their voices, we strengthen our collective national power. When we protect one child, we alter the trajectory of an entire generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wished Nigerians a Happy Children\u2019s Day and called for continued commitment to building a society where every child grows whole, confident, and capable.<\/p>\n
The event featured a high-level Q&A session between the Honourable Minister and adolescent delegates from across the Federation.a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Minister Unveils \u2018FutureNow\u2019 Podcast for Nigerian Girls and Boys at Children\u2019s Day Dialogue The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has launched a new national podcast platform, _FutureNow_, to amplify the voices of Nigerian adolescent girls and boys in shaping national discourse. The announcement was made during a High-Level Inter-Generational […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3026,3025,2950],"class_list":{"0":"post-150779","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-others","7":"tag-childrens-day-dialogue","8":"tag-future-now-podcast","9":"tag-hon-imaan-sulaiman-ibrahim"},"yoast_head":"\n