Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the First Lady of Ekiti State in Nigeria, has made a passionate appeal to various leaders and organizations to take decisive action against female genital mutilation (FGM), highlighting the urgent need to protect female children from this harmful practice. Her remarks were made during a press engagement held in Ado Ekiti on the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, which underscores the theme, '2030: No end to FGM without sustained commitment and investment.' This theme reflects the ongoing challenges in eradicating FGM despite existing efforts, calling for continuous engagement from multiple stakeholders.

Ekiti State is noted for having one of the highest rates of FGM in Nigeria, especially among the states in the Southwest region. This fact adds a layer of urgency to the First Lady's call for action, as she emphasized the necessity for political, traditional, and religious leaders, along with advocacy groups, to collaborate in ensuring that female children's rights are safeguarded. The state government has already established comprehensive legal frameworks aimed at banning FGM, imposing harsh penalties on those who practice or support it, as outlined in the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence law.

Various organizations marked the official observance of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on February 6 with programs designed to raise awareness about the critical need to eliminate this practice. By drawing attention to this significant issue, Oyebanji hopes to mobilize more resources and drive collective action needed to put an end to FGM in Ekiti State and beyond, ensuring a safer environment for future generations of women and girls.