Today in London, global leaders, scholars, and advocates will come together to mark 11 years since the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, in an event themed: “A Decade On: Chibok Photo Exhibition and Commemoration.” The commemoration is taking place at SOAS, University of London, in the United Kingdom.
Prominent speakers at the event include United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, Chief Operating Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF).
Dr. Muhammed-Oyebode will lead a special panel discussion titled “The Stolen Daughters of Chibok: Resilience, Justice, and Global Lessons.” She is known for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the Chibok families and has played a key role in keeping international attention on the crisis.
The event will feature a powerful photo exhibition, offering a visual journey through the impact of the tragedy and the broader themes of education, gender, conflict, and resilience.
In a statement ahead of the event, Muhammed-Oyebode said the session would highlight the ongoing plight of the abducted girls and the communities devastated by insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
“This commemoration is not only about remembering those taken in 2014,” she said, “but also about shining a light on those who remain unheard, unseen, and unsafe in the face of continuing abductions and violence.”
The Chibok abduction, which occurred on April 14, 2014, saw 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from their school in Borno State, Nigeria. The tragedy sparked global outrage and the viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign. While some of the girls have been rescued or returned, many remain missing, and mass abductions of schoolchildren continue to plague parts of Nigeria.
The London event serves both as a commemoration and a call to action—reminding the world that the story of Chibok is still unfinished, and that justice, recovery, and education remain critical goals.
