In a groundbreaking event to mark the 2024 International Day for the Girl Child in Nigeria, 16-year-old gender advocate Isabel Anani presided over the House of Representatives’ plenary session, making history as the first teenager to take charge of proceedings in Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber.
The session, which took place on October 10, was described as “unprecedented” by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who allowed Miss Anani to symbolically lead the plenary as part of the day’s celebrations. Sharing the moment on social media, the Speaker said, “Today, history was made on the floor of the House of Representatives when I symbolically allowed a 16-year-old advocate, Ms. Isabel Anani, to preside over the plenary session… the first of its kind in the history of the House.”
Anani, a UNICEF Young Influencer and member of Nigeria’s Technical Working Group for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, was selected through a rigorous nationwide search. Her advocacy for gender equality and inclusion in governance, especially among young girls, has made her a prominent voice in youth leadership. Speaker Abbas praised Anani’s journey, stating that her passion “ignites positive change” and will “undoubtedly inspire her peers and younger ones.”
“This is part of the celebration for this year’s International Day for the Girl Child,” Abbas noted, adding that “women’s inclusion and participation in governance is at the heart of the 10th House Legislative Agenda.”
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Abbas urged the public to “recognise Isabel’s achievement and celebrate the unwavering spirit of Nigerian girls who courageously pursue their dreams despite adversity.”
Anani’s leadership in the session has sparked widespread admiration and serves as a powerful symbol of the potential for greater female participation in Nigeria’s political landscape.
