The Devastating Reality of Early Marriage in Northern Nigeria
Early marriage continues to be a pressing issue that affects countless girls in Northern Nigeria. This practice is deeply rooted in conservative beliefs that define a woman’s value solely through her role as a wife and mother. In many communities, the worth of a girl is measured by the size of her bride price, which further perpetuates this harmful tradition.
Many of these girls are married off to men who are often three times their age. This is not a union based on love or mutual consent; it is a form of child abuse that robs young girls of their childhood and future. These marriages shatter the dreams of girls who once had aspirations and ambitions, forcing them into roles they never chose.
In some communities, the girl child is seen as weak and fragile, confined to traditions that limit her potential. However, as the saying goes, “Educating a woman is equivalent to educating an entire nation.” Despite this wisdom, many girls are denied access to education, which is a fundamental right.
According to a report by UNICEF, a majority of out-of-school children in Nigeria are girls, with about 60 percent of the estimated 18.5 million out-of-school children nationwide being female. This means that more than 10 million Nigerian girls are not in school. The report attributes this to factors such as insecurity, poverty, and cultural norms, particularly in the northern region.
UNICEF also reports that around 12 million girls are married off each year before turning 18, while about 650 million women and girls alive today were married as children. Although the global rate of child marriage has declined, progress has been slow and uneven, making it unlikely that the world will meet the Sustainable Development Goal of ending child marriage by 2030.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Challenges
In Nigeria, the Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003 prohibits marriage below the age of 18. However, the Nigerian Constitution contains provisions that conflict with this law. Some states with Islamic legal systems have not adopted the CRA, while others that have done so have failed to enforce it effectively.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concern that nearly two decades after the CRA was enacted, many Nigerian girls are still being forced into marriage. Mausi Segun, Africa Director at HRW, highlighted the ongoing challenges. In 2021, HRW interviewed 16 married girls aged between 14 and 19, as well as representatives of civil society groups working to end child marriage and gender-based violence in Imo and Kano states.
The organization noted that while the federal CRA aligns with international conventions, Section 29(4)(b) of Nigeria’s Constitution defines any married female as having reached the age of majority, regardless of her actual age. Eleven of Nigeria’s 36 states have yet to domesticate the CRA. Some reports indicate that up to 78 percent of girls in certain states marry before age 18.
Health and Social Consequences
Child marriage is not only a violation of human rights but also a public health crisis. Many of these girls face serious reproductive health complications, including death during childbirth. When a girl becomes pregnant before her body is fully developed, her narrow pelvis can cause obstructed labour, leading to internal injuries, excessive bleeding, or even death if emergency care is unavailable.
Nigeria records one of the highest rates of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) globally, with an estimated 12,000 new cases annually and between 400,000 and 800,000 women currently living with the condition. Most cases are linked to early marriage, poor access to healthcare, and prolonged labour. Victims often suffer social stigma, poverty, and deep psychological trauma.
The Human Cost
Behind the statistics are the silent tears of young girls who never had a choice. In many parts, marriage at a tender age is not a celebration of love but a sentence of lost potential. Their education and dreams are cut short, leaving us to ask: When will early marriage end in Nigeria and allow our girls to decide their own future?
According to Save the Children, more than 22,000 girls die each year from pregnancy and childbirth resulting from child marriage. West and Central Africa, which have the highest rates globally, account for nearly half of these deaths, about 26 every day. The region’s teenage maternal mortality rate is four times higher than the global average.
A Call to Action
To end this cycle, the government, traditional rulers, and community leaders must act decisively. Agencies should be created in rural communities to monitor and prevent early marriage, and strict penalties should be enforced for offenders. These agencies and NGOs must also educate parents and religious leaders about the dangers of early marriage.
Poverty remains a major driver, so free and compulsory education is essential. Ending early marriage will require a united effort, particularly from religious and traditional leaders, to reach vulnerable communities and give every Nigerian girl the chance to dream, learn, and thrive.