The presidential campaign organization of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says a government led by him would prioritize girls’ education, adolescent healthcare and stronger enforcement of laws intended to prevent child marriage. In a statement marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, the organization’s director of national women coordination, Toyin Balogun, outlined proposals covering free education, vocational training, legal assistance and community awareness programmes. Balogun, a former Oyo State commissioner for women affairs and social inclusion, said the campaign would seek to build on the state’s education policies and expand opportunities for girls whose schooling had been interrupted by poverty, early marriage or other barriers.
She argued that vocational and practical skills programmes should complement formal education, especially for girls and young women who need pathways to financial independence after leaving school. The proposed agenda also includes stronger implementation of child protection laws, accessible ways to report abuse and support services for survivors. Balogun said girls who seek help should be protected from retaliation, stigma and further harm. On health, she called for services responsive to the needs of adolescents, including girls affected by early marriage. She linked child marriage to risks involving maternal health, interrupted schooling and reduced economic opportunities.
Balogun also advocated engagement with families and community leaders to challenge harmful practices and address the social pressures that can lead to early marriage. The campaign said progress should be assessed through tangible outcomes, including the number of girls who remain in school, return to education or receive protection and support. The proposals form part of the campaign’s stated policy intentions rather than programmes currently being implemented by a future federal administration. Their effectiveness would depend on financing, cooperation with states and communities, and sustained enforcement of existing protections.
