Plan International Nigeria Brings Girls’ Rights and Safety to the Forefront at Africa Social Impact Summit 4.0 Agenda
L-R: Helen Idiong, Director, Program & Influencing, Plan International Nigeria; Charles Usie, Country Director, Plan International Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Sheila Ojei, Director, Philanthropy, Plan International Nigeria, at a press briefing, where Plan International Nigeria announced its theme partnership for the upcoming Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), in collaboration with the Co-convener, Sterling One Foundation.
Plan International Nigeria, a leading advocate for girls’ rights and gender equality, will return to the Africa Social Impact Summit this year with a strategic emphasis on policy influence, system strengthening, and high-impact partnerships that drive the protection, empowerment, and long-term advancement of girls across the continent.
As one of the summit’s theme partners, Plan International Nigeria will be driving strategic discussions on gender equity, inclusive education, and protection, amplifying the urgent need for resilient systems that safeguard and support adolescent girls, particularly in crises, conflict, and recovery. The organisation continues to press for development strategies that deliver lasting support for girls in schools, in communities, and national policy agendas and their implementation, to ensure sustainable impact.
“The development conversation is incomplete if girls are still being left behind,” said Charles Usie, Country Director, Plan International Nigeria. “ASIS is a space where that reality cannot be ignored. We are here to keep the focus on meaningful change for every girl navigating risk, uncertainty and unequal systems.”
At ASIS 4.0, Plan International Nigeria will join high-level panels and working groups focused on education financing, youth policy, and gender-responsive development. The organisation will also use the platform to spotlight community-driven stories that reflect the power of long-term, girls-centred interventions and initiatives.
Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, of Sterling One Foundation, said “Plan International Nigeria plays a critical role in keeping the summit equitable and inclusive.”
“Plan International Nigeria does more than represent girls. It defends their place at the centre of every policy conversation,” she said. “Their presence raises the standard. It reminds every stakeholder that any solution that excludes girls is incomplete by design.”
The Africa Social Impact Summit will be held from July 10 to 11, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. Registration is open at theimpactsummit.org.
About the Co-Conveners
Sterling One Foundation
Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across three critical sectors namely: health, education and climate action & food security. Gender Equality and women empowerment are integrated as a cross cutting priority across all our programming areas. The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information visit onefoundation.ng
United Nations in Nigeria
The United Nations System (UNS) in Nigeria, consisting of 19 resident and 4 non-resident entities has had a productive engagement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria since its independence and has been a catalytic supporter of, and trusted partner in, the development aspirations of Nigeria. Learn more on United Nations in Nigeria
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