By Palma Ileye
ActionAid Nigeria has called on governments at all levels to strengthen the enforcement of laws against child marriage and increase investment in girls’ education and rights.
The organisation made the call in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl, marked on October 11, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
According to ActionAid Nigeria, findings from the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey show that 33.4 per cent of young women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, with the prevalence approaching 50 per cent in the North-East and North-West.
The organisation also cited UNICEF estimates indicating that more than 3.7 million women aged 20 to 24 in Nigeria were married before turning 18.
It said child marriage deprives girls of their childhood, disrupts their education, limits their economic opportunities and exposes them to violence and early pregnancy.
ActionAid Nigeria noted that poverty and limited access to education were among the factors associated with early marriage, particularly among girls from disadvantaged households.
It added that UNICEF analysis indicated that ensuring every girl in Northern Nigeria completed secondary education could reduce child marriage by up to two-thirds, while also reducing adolescent pregnancy and improving economic productivity.
Highlighting the impact of interventions aimed at protecting girls’ rights, the organisation cited the experience of Aisha Aliyu, who was 16 when her family began preparations for her marriage to her cousin.
According to ActionAid Nigeria, Aisha participated in its Girl-led Research and Action Project, where she learnt about girls’ rights, education and the risks associated with early marriage.
The organisation said the intervention gave her the confidence to discuss her desire to continue her education with her parents, who eventually called off the marriage.
Aisha subsequently returned to school and now hopes to become a businesswoman and mentor other girls in her community, the organisation said.
Through the Girl-led Research and Action initiative, ActionAid Nigeria supports girls to investigate issues affecting their lives, document their experiences and use evidence to advocate for change.
Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said investment in girls should go beyond protecting them from harm to recognising their rights and supporting their leadership.
“Investing in girls is not simply about protecting them from harm; it is about recognising their rights, supporting their leadership and creating the opportunities they need to shape their own lives and contribute meaningfully to society,” Mamedu said.
He added that girls must be involved in decisions affecting them, while governments should provide the necessary systems and resources to protect their rights.
The organisation urged federal and state governments, legislative bodies and relevant justice and law-enforcement institutions to ensure the effective implementation of laws protecting girls from child marriage and other harmful practices.
It also called on education authorities to increase investment in safe, quality and inclusive education, particularly for girls in rural, conflict-affected and marginalised communities.
ActionAid Nigeria further advocated expanded social protection and livelihood support for vulnerable households to address economic pressures that increase girls’ vulnerability to early marriage and school dropout.
It called on parents, traditional and religious leaders, schools, civil society organisations and the media to challenge harmful social norms and create opportunities for girls to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
The organisation said its work with women’s rights organisations, girls and communities includes initiatives under its Local Rights Programme and the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, to advance gender equality and strengthen women’s and girls’ leadership.
