Plan International Nigeria opens applications for Girls Takeover 2025

On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, Plan International Nigeria has launched the 2025 edition of its flagship Girls Takeover initiative, inviting girls and young women to apply for a chance to step into leadership roles in government, diplomacy, and civil society.

The #GirlsTakeover campaign, part of the global #StandWithGirls movement, is designed to amplify the voices of girls by symbolically placing them in positions of power. Beyond symbolism, it provides practical opportunities for leadership training, mentorship, and advocacy, tackling gender inequalities that continue to affect education, governance, and participation in Nigeria and across the world.

Why it matters

Globally, over 130 million girls remain out of school, and in many countries, laws still fail to fully protect their right to education. In Nigeria, these challenges are worsened by sharp gender gaps in political representation. Women hold just 3.5% of seats in the 10th National Assembly, despite constituting nearly half of the population. Harmful practices such as child marriage also continue to undermine girls’ rights, with millions forced into early unions across West and Central Africa.

The Girl Takeover 2025 initiative is Plan International’s response to these realities, aiming to shift from policy rhetoric to tangible actions that elevate girls’ leadership, visibility, and influence in decision-making spaces.

Focus of the 2025 Campaign

This year’s campaign will see girls symbolically assume leadership roles in high-profile offices, including:

• The Office of the Vice President of Nigeria
• The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
• The Swedish Embassy
• The German Embassy
• The British High Commission
• The Office of the Country Director, Plan International Nigeria

During these takeovers, participants will directly engage policymakers and diplomats, present policy demands, and share lived experiences around education, protection, and participation. Leaders will also be asked to sign joint communiqués, reinforcing accountability for gender equality.

One unique feature of the 2025 edition is that a selected participant will shadow the Country Director of Plan International Nigeria for a full year, receiving mentorship and hands-on leadership experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are open to:

• Girls aged 15–24 residing in Abuja
• Applicants with an interest in gender equality and leadership
• Girls from rural or marginalised communities are strongly encouraged to apply

No specific background is required — the programme welcomes all girls who are eager to make an impact.

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Programme Structure

The Girls Takeover initiative consists of three key phases:

1. Selection and Preparation
   • Open calls through schools, youth platforms, and civil society organisations.
   • Workshops to equip girls with leadership, advocacy, governance, and media skills.
   • Pairing with mentors, including diplomats, policymakers, and women leaders.
2. Girl Take Over Day
   • Symbolic assumption of leadership roles in government and diplomatic offices.
   • Structured policy engagements and presentation of girls’ demands.
   • Signing of joint commitments for gender equality.
3. Extended Mentorship
   • A standout participant shadows the Plan International Nigeria Country Director for one year.

How to Apply

Interested girls should send their applications by Monday, 29 September 2025, to:

📧 Nigeria.Partnership@plan-international.org
📌 Subject line: Application for Plan International Nigeria’s Girl Take Over Event

Applicants will need to provide personal details and respond to questions about their motivations, perspectives on gender equality, and vision for girls’ empowerment.

Building a Generation of Leaders

Plan International Nigeria stresses that Girls Takeover is more than just symbolic. It is a movement to equip girls with confidence, visibility, and the leadership skills they need to shape the future. By dismantling stereotypes and providing real platforms for participation, the initiative helps to build an inclusive governance culture in Nigeria and beyond.

Through this campaign, Plan International Nigeria sends a strong message: empowering girls is not only a matter of rights but also a catalyst for stronger, more equitable societies.