In commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Female Youth Network (FYN) has launched a nationwide empowerment initiative aimed at reaching over 250,000 Nigerian girls annually through school-based mentorship and leadership development programmes.

Unveiled in Abuja under the theme “Empowered Girls, Transformed Nation,” the project, known as the Girl Child Club (GCC), is designed to nurture girls with leadership, digital, climate, and entrepreneurial skills essential for success in the 21st century.

At the launch, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was announced as the Grand Matron and Chairperson of the Council of Matrons.

Speaking at the event, founder and President of the Female Youth Network, Comrade Ebere Ebenezer, described the initiative as more than a programme, but a movement to raise confident, creative, and courageous girls who will lead change across every sphere of life.

She explained that through the Council of Matrons, the network seeks to bridge generations by connecting established women leaders with young girls in schools to provide mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy.

According to her, the Girl Child Club has already commenced implementation in 30 senior secondary schools across the FCT with the approval of the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT-SEB).

Ebenezer said plans are underway to expand the programme to junior secondary and primary schools under the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), and eventually to all 110 Federal Unity Schools in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
“With 25 girls per club unit and three units per educational level, the initiative targets more than 23,000 girls annually in its pilot phase, and over 250,000 girls nationwide upon full implementation”, she stated.

The group called on government agencies, development partners, private sector players, and philanthropists to support the expansion of the Girl Child Club through the adoption of club units and the provision of digital learning and climate education tools.
“We are building a national legacy where empowered girls will become tomorrow’s lawmakers, innovators, and nation builders,” Ebenezer said. ”

The organisation commended the Director/Secretary of the FCT-SEB for institutional support and guidance, describing his leadership as instrumental to the project’s success.

The group also commended Hon. Rachel Ese, a member of the Board of the North Central Development Commission; Hon. Tony Nwulu, Director General of the Youth in Parliament Forum; and Hon. Amb. Solomon Adodo, President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), for their contributions to the initiative.

Others acknowledged include Comrade Abubakar Muhammed, Chairman-in-Council of the North Central Youth Council (NCYC); Comrade Oyefeso Blessing, President, Nigeria Youths in Politics; and Comrade O. H. Akor, Founder of the Climate Champions Club and Special Assistant on Climate Change and Youth Resilience to the NYCN President.