Child Marriage Prevalence Falls to 28.6% in Nigeria, Study Reveals
A new report titled “The State of the Nigerian Girl Report 2025”, conducted by Consultant Mr. Austine Mamedu with support from Save the Children International (SCI), has revealed a remarkable reduction in Nigeria’s child marriage prevalence rate, from 44% (2016–2020) to 28.6% in 2025.
The findings, presented by Mr. Ali Andrew, Director of Child Protection at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, attribute this progress to interventions by INGOs, UN Agencies, NGOs, and the World Bank, focused on expanding educational opportunities for girls and advocating against child marriage.
The study identifies poverty, traditional practices, gender inequality, and lack of education as key drivers of child marriage in Nigeria. It recommends:
- Expanding educational programmes for girls
- Advocacy for social norms change
- Law reforms and enforcement
- Empowerment and life skills training
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Community engagement for sustainable impact
Mrs. Edema Irom, Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs and Dean of Commissioners, validated the report, expressing satisfaction with its findings and recommendations.
Hajiya Murjanatu Kabir, SCI Policy and Advocacy Campaign Manager, confirmed that the document will be officially launched soon, emphasizing that all recommendations will be implemented in collaboration with stakeholders.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, reaffirmed her commitment to promoting girls’ access to education, healthcare, and protection from early marriage and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
This progress aligns with the Child’s Rights Act (CRA) 2003, which prohibits child marriage in Nigeria, affirming that “a child is a person under the age of 18 years” and guaranteeing every child’s right to survival, development, protection, and participation.
The reduction in child marriage prevalence demonstrates Nigeria’s advancing commitment to fulfilling the rights, dignity, and future of every girl child.
