The 11th anniversary of the Chibok girls’ abduction is being marked today in London with a powerful gathering of global voices committed to remembrance, justice, and renewed advocacy. The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, alongside the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Chief Operating Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, are among key speakers attending the commemorative event taking place at SOAS, University of London.
The event, titled A Decade On: Chibok Photo Exhibition and Commemoration, is designed to reignite global attention on the tragedy that unfolded on April 14, 2014, when 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by insurgents in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. Although the incident sparked international outrage and led to the viral #BringBackOurGirls movement, many of the girls remain unaccounted for more than a decade later.
Dr Muhammed-Oyebode, whose persistent efforts have played a vital role in keeping the Chibok story alive, is leading a critical panel discussion called The Stolen Daughters of Chibok: Resilience, Justice, and Global Lessons. Her opening remarks are expected to highlight the continued suffering of the girls and their families, as well as the broader consequences for education, gender equality, and conflict recovery in Nigeria and beyond.
The commemorative programme features a thought-provoking photo exhibition aimed at sparking dialogue and reflection. Scholars, global leaders, and human rights advocates are expected to use the platform to examine the long-term impact of the abduction, which remains a haunting symbol of ongoing insecurity in Nigeria. Despite years of advocacy, abductions, forced displacements, and violence continue to affect vulnerable communities, especially women and children.
Today’s event is not just a remembrance—it is a call to action. Eleven years on, the pain is still raw, but so is the resolve of those who continue to fight for justice and healing.
