The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Nigeria has nearly 25 million child brides. Simultaneously, the Federal Government has initiated discussions with UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other stakeholders to put an end to the practice of early child marriage in the country. 

During a national dialogue held in Abuja to address the issue, Ms. Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF Country Representative, emphasized that the prevalence of child marriage is particularly notable in Bauchi, Jigawa, and Zamfara. 

Munduate highlighted that child marriage is a harmful practice according to international human rights law, often linked to severe forms of violence against women and girls, including intimate partner violence.

“In Nigeria, there are nearly 25 million child brides with alarming prevalence rates in states such as Bauchi that has 74 percent child brides.

“Also, Jigawa has 72 percent of its children getting married before the age of 18, Katsina has little less at 69 percent and Zamfara has nearly 67 percent of its children getting married.’’

While calling for more investment in education for all children, the country representative said the practice of child marriage not only violated human rights but also hindered Nigeria’s social and economic development.

“A recent study by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and UNICEF estimates an annual cost of $10 billion as economic burden of child marriage to the nation.

“The study also projects a potential GDP boost of nearly 25 percent upon its eradication.

“The consequences of child marriage ripple through society, impacting not only the lives of child brides but also the entire fabric of our nation,” she said.

Additionally, addressing the gathering, Mr. Koessan Kwawu, the Deputy Representative of UNFPA, highlighted the detrimental impact of the practice on the health, education, and future opportunities of the child. He urged stakeholders to work towards putting an end to this practice.

In her remarks, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in achieving the goal of ending child marriage by 2030. Kennedy-Ohanenye underscored the importance of educating and involving traditional, religious, and women’s groups, along with other community-level stakeholders, to raise awareness about the negative effects of child marriage on girls.

Also present at the event, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of the Kwara State governor and Chairperson of the Nigerian Governor’s Spouses Forum, asserted that putting an end to child marriage in Nigeria requires leveraging the tools provided by the law.

“Also, there is need for community efforts and the good standing of leaders of socio-cultural and religious institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to assess the concerns posed by child marriage.

“As well as getting rid of endemic dysfunctional aspects of the various cultural traditions in the country which have an incorrect gender discriminatory norm,” she said.

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Zamfara, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed, said there was the need for children to attain at least 18 years of age with a minimum of secondary school education before getting married.

Similarly, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, represented by Dr Micheal Akinwale, harped on  the need for investment in the future of children to end child marriage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were also panel discussions on the role of traditional and religious leader in addressing child marriage as well as innovative solutions and proven strategies to address child marriage.