EXPERT OPINION: Ending FGM in Nigeria—Evidence, Innovation, and Survivor Leadership Must Define Our Next Decade

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most persistent violations of the rights of women and girls worldwide. Today, an estimated 230 million women and girls are living with its consequences, according to UNICEF’s 2024 global update—an alarming rise driven by demographic pressures, migration patterns and stubborn social norms. Every twelve minutes, a girl somewhere in the world dies from complications linked to FGM and related harmful practices. These figures are a reminder that despite global commitments and decades of work, the world is far from delivering on the promise of bodily autonomy and safety for every girl.

Nigeria’s new national data present a more complex picture. We are making measurable progress, yet millions of girls remain at significant risk. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) show a clear downward trend: among women aged 15–49, FGM prevalence declined from 25 percent in 2013 to 20 percent in 2018 and has now fallen further to 14 percent in the 2024 NDHS. These shifts represent more than numerical change; they reflect evolving norms, increasing awareness, strengthened advocacy and years of collective engagement by government, civil society, development partners and survivors.

The depth of this progress becomes most visible at the state level. Osun State, once considered one of the epicentres of FGM, demonstrates the dramatic potential for change when communities are engaged meaningfully. A decade ago, FGM was so widespread in Osun that four out of every five women had undergone the practice. New data show that prevalence among women aged 15–49 has dropped to roughly two in ten, marking one of the most significant declines recorded in any high-prevalence Nigerian state. This transformation did not occur by chance. It is the product of sustained grassroots mobilisation, survivor-led conversations, targeted policies, public abandonment declarations and growing community recognition that FGM is neither a religious obligation nor a marker of social identity. When a high-prevalence state like Osun can reduce its FGM prevalence by more than half within a decade, it offers a powerful glimpse of what is possible nationwide.

Nigeria’s leadership on this issue has also been shaped by two decades of national political commitment. In 2003, Nigeria’s First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, declared February 6 as Zero Tolerance Day for FGM during a meeting of the Inter-African Committee. Her declaration was later adopted by the United Nations, and it remains one of the strongest examples of African leadership defining global norms. Twenty years later, in June 2024, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu reaffirmed this commitment, calling FGM an “inhumane practice” that must be confronted through strong law enforcement, community intervention and enhanced cooperation across sectors. These two historic moments—separated by time but unified in intent—show that Nigeria’s political will has remained consistent across administrations.

Nigeria’s legal environment reflects this commitment. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 criminalises FGM nationwide, and thirty-five of thirty-six states have now domesticated the Act or enacted parallel laws. Some states, including Osun, Edo, Delta, Abia, Bayelsa, Rivers and Ogun, had anti-FGM legislation even before the federal law. However, legislation alone does not eliminate long-held practices. Enforcement remains uneven, reporting structures are often weak, and many survivors face a combination of stigma, institutional hesitation and social intimidation. I have personally witnessed these gaps in my work at Value Female Network Africa, particularly while supporting one of the first publicly recognised FGM prosecutions in my state. The experience demonstrated how justice, when pursued, can shift community expectations and embolden survivors, but it also revealed the need for stronger institutional capacity, intersectoral collaboration and survivor-centred protections at every stage of the justice process.

Despite these challenges, one of the most powerful catalysts of change has been the rising leadership of survivors themselves. Survivor narratives are reshaping the national and international dialogue on FGM. Their voices humanise the statistics, debunk long-held myths, and challenge harmful norms in ways that technical arguments alone cannot achieve. Through my work leading adolescent safe spaces, Heroes Clubs, and the Adolescent Boot Camp across multiple states, I have seen the transformative effect survivor leadership has on girls’ self-confidence, parental decision-making and community-wide attitudes. On the global stage, survivor and youth voices from Nigeria are influencing policies within UN systems through the Global Youth Consortium Against FGM, which I am privileged to lead.

Innovation is another critical driver of progress. New strategies—including digital awareness campaigns, school-based empowerment programmes, community-led norms transformation, evidence-based parenting interventions, and strengthened reporting and referral systems—are proving effective across the country. Partnerships with organisations such as the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, other donor-funded programs, and national civil society networks have strengthened the scale of these interventions and reinforced Nigeria’s position as a leader in survivor-led and youth-led approaches.

However, one question remains: How do we sustain and accelerate the progress? Nigeria’s success cannot depend solely on external support. Donor funding, while catalytic, cannot guarantee long-term elimination. A predictable, nationally owned financing system is essential. A strategic step forward would be the establishment of a National FGM Elimination Basket Fund, designed as a pooled financing mechanism supported by the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector, philanthropic institutions and development partners. If government commits to matching donor contributions, it would not only signal serious ownership of the national agenda but also strengthen accountability, transparency and long-term sustainability. In addition, statutory budget lines across relevant ministries—health, women’s affairs, education, justice and social welfare—are necessary to institutionalise FGM elimination within the fabric of government planning. Local governments must also be empowered to allocate resources for community-level mobilization, case management, faith-based engagement and support for survivors.

The urgency of this investment becomes clearer when we consider the broader development implications of FGM. The practice is not merely a cultural concern; it is a human-rights violation that undermines the rights to health, dignity, bodily autonomy, security and life. It contributes to maternal morbidity, obstructed labour, infections, psychological trauma, sexual dysfunction and long-term reproductive complications. It also affects school retention, economic productivity and gender equality. Eliminating FGM is therefore integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to health, education, gender equality and reduced inequalities.

Nigeria stands at an inflection point. The decline in national prevalence, the dramatic transformation in states like Osun, the expanding legal framework, the rise of survivor leadership, and the global momentum around youth-led and community-driven approaches all point toward the possibility of eliminating FGM within a generation. Yet possibility alone is not enough. Sustained progress will depend on bold political will, increased domestic financing, strengthened institutions, deeper community engagement and the continued amplification of survivor voices.

If Nigeria maintains its current trajectory—supported by strong financing, coordinated action and evidence-driven innovation—the aspiration to end FGM in our lifetime can become a national achievement. The path ahead requires conviction and commitment, but the evidence is clear: when a nation chooses to invest in the safety and dignity of its girls, transformation is not only possible—it is inevitable.

Ending FGM is no longer a question of whether Nigeria can succeed. The question is how quickly and how decisively we choose to act, and whether we will honour the courage of the survivors whose voices have carried this movement forward.

By, Executive Secretary, Global Youth Consortium Against FGM, Dr. Costly Aderibigbe-Saba