Plan International Nigeria has called for more effective measures beyond paper policies to tackle child marriage, a form of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) affecting millions of Nigerian girls. Dr Charles Usie, the Country Director, highlighted that 44% of Nigerian girls marry before 18, placing Nigeria third globally for child brides with over 24 million affected. This alarming statistic was shared during the 16 Days Activism Against GBV campaign, which runs annually from November 25 to December 10.
Usie stressed that eradicating child marriage requires systemic change within homes, schools, faith, and traditional institutions, along with clear and enforced laws. Community-led efforts to uphold gender rights are key, empowering every girl with the right to education, health, and personal choice instead of early marriage. His call aligns with UNICEF findings showing child marriage costs Nigeria billions annually and deprives girls of opportunities, often leading to poor health and educational outcomes.
Plan International advocates harsher laws criminalizing sexual violence in and out of marriage, improved school retention for girls—including flexible learning for married or pregnant girls—and adolescent-friendly health services. The group urges government to set a national minimum marriage age of 18 and enforce birth/marriage registrations to protect girls nationwide.
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