General News
Child Marriage: NCWS Raises Alarm Over 24 Million Nigerian Child Brides, Demands Urgent Action
By Iyojo Ameh
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called on federal and state governments to intensify efforts to end child marriage in Nigeria, warning that more than 24 million women and girls were married before the age of 18.
The council urged authorities to enforce existing child protection laws, expand access to education and provide economic support for vulnerable families to protect girls from early marriage.
The NCWS made the call on Sunday, October 11, to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
In a statement issued in Abuja, the organisation warned that Nigeria could struggle to meet its commitment to ending child marriage by 2030 without adequate funding, effective law enforcement and sustained community engagement.
Citing figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the council said more than 24 million Nigerian women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday, placing the country among those with the highest numbers of child brides globally.
It also cited the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, as reported by UNICEF in 2025, which indicated that approximately 33.4 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before turning 18.
According to the council, the prevalence approaches 50 per cent in the North-East and North-West.
The NCWS stressed that child marriage should not be treated as a private family affair or a problem limited to particular religious, ethnic or geographical communities, describing it instead as a national development challenge requiring coordinated action.
Poverty, Health Risks Fuel Child Marriage
The council identified poverty, limited access to essential services and inadequate protection for vulnerable children as major factors contributing to the persistence of child marriage.
It noted that girls from poorer households were considerably more likely to marry during adolescence than those from wealthier families.
The organisation also warned of serious health consequences associated with early pregnancy, including complications such as eclampsia and severe infections.
It said babies born to adolescent mothers faced increased risks of premature birth and low birth weight, while girls exposed to prolonged or obstructed labour could suffer obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that can cause lasting medical complications, stigma and social isolation.
Beyond the health risks, the NCWS said early marriage often interrupts girls’ education, limits their economic opportunities and undermines their ability to make decisions about their health and future.
The council further expressed concern over the estimated 7.6 million out-of-school girls in Nigeria, noting that a substantial proportion live in northern states.
Citing UNICEF figures, it said women without formal education marry at a median age of 16.6 years, compared with 21.7 years among women who complete secondary education.
The organisation said the figures demonstrate the importance of keeping girls in school while addressing the financial pressures that lead some families to arrange early marriages.
It also referenced a 2025 study involving UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, which estimated that an investment of $114 million in out-of-school girls in two northern states could generate benefits worth $2.5 billion.
According to the council, the projected returns highlight the economic benefits of investing in girls’ education and development.
NCWS Demands Enforcement of 18-Year Marriage Age
The council called for stronger implementation of the Child Rights Act 2003, which establishes 18 as the minimum marriage age under the Act.
Although all 36 states have adopted the legislation, the NCWS said enforcement remained a major challenge.
It urged authorities to strengthen accountability for those who arrange or facilitate unlawful marriages involving children and improve access to justice for affected girls.
The organisation also called for the training of police officers, prosecutors, judges and customary and Sharia court officials on child protection laws.
It recommended the establishment and effective operation of family courts to improve access to justice for vulnerable children.
The council further appealed to the National Assembly to review Section 29(4)(b) of the Constitution, which contains a provision deeming a married woman to be of full age for the purposes of that section.
According to the NCWS, reviewing the provision would help address conflicting interpretations that could undermine child protection efforts.
It also advocated free and accessible birth registration and compulsory registration of statutory, customary and religious marriages, with verification that both parties meet the legal minimum age.
Council Outlines Eight-Point Action Plan
To accelerate efforts towards ending child marriage, the NCWS outlined eight priority areas for government intervention.
These include enforcing the minimum marriage age of 18, reviewing the relevant constitutional provision, strengthening birth and marriage registration, and ensuring that girls can complete secondary education in safe environments.
The council called for expanded school feeding programmes, conditional cash transfers, menstrual hygiene support and the recruitment of more female teachers.
It also urged authorities to improve school security and create opportunities for married girls and young mothers to return to education.
On poverty reduction, the organisation recommended targeted financial assistance for vulnerable households, alongside skills acquisition and livelihood programmes for girls and their mothers.
It called for adequately funded child protection desks, functional helplines, safe shelters, free legal assistance and adolescent-friendly healthcare services.
The council stressed that girls living in displacement camps and conflict-affected communities required particular protection.
It also urged traditional rulers, imams, pastors and other community leaders to use their influence to discourage child marriage and promote girls’ rights through community engagement in local languages.
Additionally, the NCWS called for the release of funds for the Costed National Action Plan to End Child Marriage, as well as corresponding state-level plans with dedicated budget allocations.
It said annual public reports should be published to track progress towards the 2030 target, with every intervention assigned a clear timeline, an implementing institution and measurable outcomes.
Parents, Religious Leaders Urged to Protect Girls
Beyond government intervention, the council appealed to parents to consider the long-term consequences of marrying off their daughters before adulthood.
While acknowledging that poverty and concerns about girls’ safety could influence family decisions, it maintained that protecting children’s health, education and future opportunities must remain a priority.
The organisation urged fathers, brothers, husbands and sons to support girls’ rights and encouraged traditional and religious leaders to discourage early marriage within their communities.
It also called on journalists to sustain public awareness of the issue while reporting the experiences of affected girls responsibly and protecting their dignity.
NCWS Reaffirms Campaign Against Child Marriage
The council pledged to strengthen its advocacy through its state chapters and affiliated organisations by engaging parents, traditional rulers and religious leaders, identifying girls at risk and connecting them with education, healthcare and protection services.
It also promised to work with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and state governments to monitor the implementation of the national action plan and report progress.
The NCWS reaffirmed its longstanding campaign against vesico-vaginal fistula, which it began in 1985.
Its National President, Princess Edna D. D. Azura, said the campaign was not intended to blame particular families, regions or faiths but to ensure that every child enjoys the protection guaranteed by law.
“A girl’s childhood is not ours to give away,” Azura said, urging Nigerians and governments at all levels to protect girls’ health and allow them to determine their futures when they are ready.
Established in 1959, the NCWS is an umbrella body for women’s organisations in Nigeria, with a longstanding focus on women’s welfare, maternal and child health, and the rights of girls.
As Nigeria marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, the council stressed that stronger enforcement of existing laws, sustained investment in education, family support and community participation are essential to ending child marriage.
It maintained that protecting girls from early marriage would not only safeguard their childhood but also expand their opportunities to contribute to Nigeria’s social and economic development.