Christian Council, Plan International push for stronger action on girls’ rights, education

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Plan International Nigeria have explored stronger collaboration to advance girls’ education, protect children from abuse and exploitation, and expand opportunities for vulnerable young people across the country.

The two organisations identified these priorities during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, when the CCN General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Dr Evans Onyemara, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, Dr Usie Charles.

The discussions focused on potential areas of partnership, including child protection, gender equality, youth empowerment and social justice, with both organisations recognising the importance of reaching marginalised communities through effective development interventions.

Onyemara highlighted CCN’s nationwide network of member churches, state structures, and youth and women’s directorates as platforms that could support community mobilisation, advocacy and programme implementation.

He expressed the Council’s readiness to explore collaboration with Plan International, particularly in initiatives addressing the needs of children, adolescents, young people and other vulnerable groups.

The CCN General Secretary also stressed the importance of credible research and reliable information in strengthening advocacy, promoting accountability and influencing policies affecting children and disadvantaged communities.

A key proposal he raised was CCN’s vision of establishing a scholarship initiative for Christian children displaced by insecurity and conflict, particularly internally displaced persons who face barriers to accessing quality education.

He said the initiative could provide educational opportunities for affected children, helping them rebuild their lives and secure a better future.

The proposed scholarship programme presents a potential area of collaboration with Plan International, whose work includes advancing children’s rights, improving access to education and protecting vulnerable children.

Welcoming the delegation, Charles underscored the importance of engaging credible institutional partners to advance sustainable social development.

He outlined Plan International’s work in child and youth development, girls’ education and the prevention of gender-based violence, noting that its interventions combine direct programme implementation with policy advocacy.

Charles expressed openness to exploring areas of cooperation with CCN, pointing to the Council’s extensive church and community networks as a potential platform for reaching more beneficiaries.

The organisation’s Director of Programme Quality was identified as a key contact for further discussions on possible partnership opportunities, programme quality and capacity building.

Both organisations also emphasised the need for stronger efforts to protect children from abuse and exploitation, prevent gender-based violence and expand opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in society.

They stressed that development interventions must be informed by credible data, responsive to local needs and designed to reach populations often excluded from essential services.

On social justice, the participants highlighted the responsibility of faith-based and development organisations to support disadvantaged people, irrespective of their religious or social backgrounds.

The meeting ended with a shared interest in sustaining communication and exploring opportunities for collaboration, including relevant programmes, training, capacity building and strategic engagements.

Although no formal partnership agreement was announced, the engagement opened discussions on how CCN’s community reach and Plan International’s development experience could be combined to strengthen child protection, girls’ education and inclusive development in Nigeria.