The need to protect girls’ rights, expand educational opportunities and promote financial awareness took centre stage at Accion Microfinance Bank sensitisation programme held to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The programme, themed “Inspiring Her Today, Preparing Her for Tomorrow,” brought together female students from C.M.S Girls Secondary School and Jagunmolu Girls Senior Grammar School for conversations on their rights, personal development, education and preparation for future opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Oluwatosin Aoko, Head, Legal and Company Secretary at Accion Microfinance Bank, stressed the importance of ensuring that girls understand their rights and know how to seek help when necessary.
“Every girl deserves to understand her rights and know that her voice matters. Knowing your rights helps you recognise when something is wrong, speak up when necessary and seek support from trusted adults,” Aoko said.
She noted that equipping girls with the knowledge to identify and respond to situations that threaten their wellbeing was essential to helping them make informed decisions and protect themselves.
Education also featured prominently in the discussions, with Oghenerabome Abhulimen, Chief Information Security Officer at the bank, urging the students to remain committed to learning and take advantage of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills.
“Education goes beyond what you learn in the classroom. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed decisions and prepare for the future,” Abhulimen said.
She encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies, adding that the knowledge and skills they acquire today could shape the opportunities available to them in the future.
The importance of financial literacy for young girls was another focus of the engagement. Yewande Faleyimu, Regional Bank Head, Lagos Bank 1, highlighted the value of introducing financial education early, particularly in helping girls develop responsible money management habits.
“Financial awareness is an important life skill, and it is never too early to begin learning how to manage money responsibly,” Faleyimu said.
She encouraged the students to understand the difference between needs and wants, cultivate a savings culture and make thoughtful spending decisions, noting that these habits could provide a foundation for financial responsibility later in life.
The programme provided an opportunity for the students to engage with female professionals, learn from their experiences and reflect on the importance of education, self-awareness and financial independence.
The students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to interact with the speakers and gain practical insights relevant to their personal development and future aspirations.
The International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, draws attention to the rights, challenges and opportunities of girls worldwide. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that girls have access to education, protection, resources and the support needed to realise their full potential.
