The Nigerian Girl Child: Education, Not Marriage

On 11 October, 2026, the global community observed the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”. In Nigeria, however, the day’s significance appears to have registered only largely within civil society circles. Many observers note that, the wider society remains either indifferent to, or insufficiently aware of, the harsh realities confronting the Nigerian girl child. Across the country, large numbers of girls continue to be forced into early marriage, withdrawn from school and pushed into labour, subjected to female genital mutilation, or exploited as domestic servants. In this conversation, Ngozi Mirian Arinze; Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN; Professor Joy Ezeilo, SAN; Dame Joyce Oduah; Dr Willy Mamah; Paulyn Abhulimen-Okpalefe, SAN and Mandy Demechi-Asagba examine why Government responses have remained weak, why existing interventions have yielded limited results, and what must change, if meaningful progress is to be achieved

The Girl Child: Between the Laws and Reality

Ngozi Mirian Arinze

In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2026

The Nigerian Government has committed to safeguarding and protecting every Nigerian child. The Child’s Right Act, relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, all affirm that every child is entitled to dignity, safety, and well-being. Yet, when we examine this legal framework through the lens of the girl child, Nigeria is still far from fully translating that promise into reality. One would expect that, with these safeguards in place, the marginalisation of girls would be a forgone story. The reality, however, tells a different story.

Nigeria is a patriarchal society. Many communities celebrate the birth of a boy, far more than that of a girl. It is a culture that praises a woman with only sons, but pities one with only daughters, and couples with girls often keep trying for a boy, sometimes ending up with more children than they can maintain. It is a culture that persists, despite modernisation and our various laws. In the face of economic hardship, some families choose a boy for education or skills training, believing a girl will easily be married off, while a boy will start taking care of the family almost immediately. The girl child is seen as a nurturer and caregiver, whose place is in the home.

 One scenario from my university days has stayed with me, and fuels my advocacy for the girl child. A friend, announcing that his brother’s wife had given birth, said she had delivered “half current”. A boy, he explained, would have been “full current”. He meant it as a joke, but the logic is plain. Where electricity is concerned, “half current” is a poor supply and “full current” is the real thing. In his eyes, a daughter is a lesser version of a son.

Every 11 October, the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, to draw attention to the rights and potential of girls. This year’s theme calls for an end to child marriage, and for investment in girls’ rights. Boys and girls both face abuse and harm, but girls are disproportionately affected by many of the same threats.

From rejection at birth to chores at home, from dropping out of school to being denied inheritance, from sexual abuse to early marriage, the girl child is treated as a second-class citizen, by the very society meant to protect her. Girls are also more likely to be trafficked for commercial sex, domestic servitude and forced marriage.

The Girl Child in Numbers

According to the UNICEF(2024) about 44% of Nigerian girls are married before the age of 18, which amounts to over 24 million child brides and ranking third globally. The Child Marriage Data Portal(2024) shows how sharply this varies by regions. Prevalence rates reach up to 63% in Northwestern States like Jigawa and Zamfara, compared to roughly 10% to 11% in the Southeast.

UNICEF estimates that  one in four girls against one in 10 boys, are victims of sexual violence before the age of 18. The true figure is probably higher, as many cases are not reported.

 The UNICEF 2022 Press release recorded that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among Nigerian girls aged 0-14 rose from 16.9% in 2013 to 19.2% in 2018.

Girls also fall behind in school. According to the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA)2025 Data Brief, shows that 80.3% of girls in Nigeria complete primary education compared to 88.5% of boys. At upper secondary level, only 55.5% of girls complete their academics compared to 75.3% of boys. Girls account for over 60% of the country’s out-of-school children.

According to NORC and the Freedom Fund’s 2024 report, Behind Closed Doors, girls constituted 57.9% of child domestic workers studied in urban Edo and Lagos, with 26.9% reporting that domestic work caused them to miss school, compared with 11% of boys.

The evolution of technology has also heightened abuse and violence, suffered by girls and women.  Girls are now faced with offline and online abuse. Intimate images are shared without consent, accounts are cloned, and personal details are published to harass and blackmail them. Technology- facilitated-gender-based-violence (TGBV) is likely to grow, as there is increased access to digital devices and internet services.

Progress and the Road Ahead

In all of this, the bigger question is how the Nigerian society can help girls live safely and thrive. Can the country achieve the global goal  SDG 16.2, on ending all manner of abuse against children by 2030? I must add that some success has been achieved through our various Federal and State laws; enforcement agencies and also through the Judiciary. 

Interestingly, Nigerian courts have upheld protection against the abuse and discrimination faced by girls and women. The conviction of Yunusa Dahiru in the Ese Oruru case illustrates accountability for child trafficking and sexual exploitation, while in Ukeje v Ukeje (2014) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1418) 384, the Supreme Court affirmed that a customary rule excluding daughters from inheriting their father’s estate, violates the constitutional right to freedom from discrimination. However, there are still quite a large number of cases caught up by attrition.

Nigerian Legal Protection Framework

Chapters II and IV of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria establishes a directive obligatory and mandatory responsibility, on the part the Nigerian Government towards the girl child. The enactment of the Child’s Right Act 2003 is a practical step in the right direction, as the Act offers  special safeguards and protection to every child. As a fallout of the provisions of the Convention of the Rights of the Child 1989 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Section 1 of the said Act mandates that the best interest of the child must be prioritised in both private and public matters. Many States have adopted the Act in different nomenclatures, and adapted to local context.

The Violence Against Persons(Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) 2015 offers protection against criminal offences, and expanded the meaning of rape to include penetration through the anus, mouth, and any other opening in the body. The said Act is applicable only in the FCT Abuja, hence, each State has to domesticate its own. For instance, Lagos State has its own Domestic Violence Law: Protection Against Domestic Violence, 2007. More so, Criminal Law of various States have similar provisions.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015(now amended 2024)in its Section 23, prohibits circulation of  child pornography.

Conclusion

Nigeria is not in paucity of laws; rather poor response and  enforcement of laws, justice delay, absence of accountability, poor protection regime for victims, poor monitoring and evaluation of compliance to child protection laws, are some of the key gaps that impact quality of protection offered the girl child.

The girl child remains at risk due to the prevailing culture that still sees her as a second class citizen, regardless of Section 42 of the Constitution, that provides for right against discrimination on the ground of sex.

Recommendation

Broad Awareness on the Relevance of Upholding the Rights of the Girl Child: Communities must understand that child marriage impacts  a girl’s development, health, and wellbeing. Girls who become mothers before their bodies are ready, face a higher risk of obstructed labour and obstetric fistula according to the World Health Organization(WHO).

Invest more in prevention of gender based violence.

Prioritise Girl-Child Education: Schooling is one of the protective measures against early marriage. Education should be made an enforceable right, constitutionally guaranteed. Mechanisms should be mapped out to keep girls in school.

Effective Prosecution and Enforcement of Laws: Laws are only as good as those who implement them. There is need for proper sensitisation of Nigerian security agencies within the child protection network.

Efficient Judiciary: Cases pertaining to abuse should be speedily disposed, and convicted persons entered into the proper registers and made public.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Officers of respective agencies should observe regular check-ins in communities to monitor access to education, exploitation and abuse.

Inclusion of Child Protection Clauses in every aspect of Life: Residential communities and workplaces should be encouraged to include these clauses.

Efficient Referral System and Responsive Institutions: Collaboration and coordinated efforts is relevant for a holistic service delivery.

Participatory involvement: The girl-child should be encouraged to speak and her voice should matter. Creating platforms, where girls can share the experiences and expectations should be encouraged.

My friend’s joke about “half current” was meant lightly, but it holds a truth the law has yet to accept. Nigeria has written laws. The test now is enforceability.

Ngozi Mirian Arinze, Lawyer; Mediator; Dispute Prevention Strategist; women’s and children’s rights advocate, writer and mentor

The Plight of the Nigerian Girl 

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN

The plight of the Nigerian girl child raises a fundamental question: why do harmful practices persist, despite the existence of laws intended to prevent them? The answer lies partly in legislative inconsistencies, uneven domestication and implementation of child-protection laws, inadequate institutional capacity, social tolerance of abuse and the failure to hold perpetrators accountable.

Nigeria does not necessarily lack laws; rather, it faces the challenge of ensuring that its laws translate into effective protection for every girl, irrespective of her geographical location, social status, religious background or economic circumstances.

 First, the Constitution must remain the foundation of child protection. Sections 17(3)(f) and 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) address the protection of children, and the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. These constitutional provisions, should inform the interpretation and enforcement of all legislation affecting children. However, the express protection of children’s rights should be strengthened through effective statutory safeguards, and accessible remedies.

 Second, the Child Rights Act 2003 must be implemented uniformly throughout the Federation. Section 21 prohibits the marriage of a person under 18, while Section 23 prohibits betrothal of a child. Section 31 criminalises the sexual intercourse offence specified therein involving a child. These provisions establish important protections, against child marriage and sexual abuse.

However, the Child Rights Act operates alongside State legislation, and its enactment at Federal level has not, by itself, guaranteed uniform implementation across all States. The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly should work within their respective constitutional powers, to ensure comprehensive and consistent protection of children, particularly in matters involving marriage, education, abuse and exploitation. States should review existing legislation, eliminate inconsistencies and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

Third, the prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation, must be rigorously enforced. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 expressly prohibits FGM, while applicable State legislation may provide additional protections. The persistence of the practice, demands more than public condemnation. Law enforcement agencies must investigate credible allegations, prosecutors must pursue appropriate cases, and courts must impose lawful sanctions where guilt is established.

The National Assembly and State legislatures should also examine whether existing laws adequately address persons who perform, procure, facilitate or knowingly enable FGM, while ensuring that the law clearly identifies the relevant offences and penalties. Prevention must be accompanied by survivor-centred healthcare, counselling and community education.

Fourth, Nigeria must strengthen the criminal justice response to child rape, incest and sexual exploitation. The Criminal Code, applicable in Southern Nigeria, and the Penal Code, applicable in Northern jurisdictions, contain provisions addressing sexual offences. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and State-level legislation may also apply, depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.

 These laws must be implemented, without discrimination or interference. Allegations involving parents, guardians, relatives, religious leaders, employers or other persons in positions of trust, must receive the same seriousness as allegations against strangers. Family pressure, social standing and a desire to preserve reputation, must never become reasons to suppress legitimate complaints.

Nigeria should establish and adequately fund specialised child-protection and sexual-offence response units, improve forensic investigation, provide access to medical care and psychological support, and develop child-sensitive procedures for receiving testimony. The privacy and dignity of child survivors, must be protected throughout the process.

Fifth, domestic servitude and child labour require a more effective enforcement framework. The Child Rights Act, the Labour Act and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, provide relevant protections against specified forms of exploitation. Their effectiveness, however, depends on identifying vulnerable children, investigating abusive domestic arrangements and prosecuting conduct that falls within the applicable offences.

State child-protection agencies, labour inspectors, social welfare departments and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons  must strengthen cooperation. Particular attention should be given to children placed in private households under the pretext of domestic assistance, apprenticeship or family support but subsequently denied education, subjected to violence or exploited for labour.

Sixth, Nigeria requires stronger implementation, monitoring and accountability. A national child-protection framework should establish clear coordination among Federal and State institutions, Police authorities, prosecutors, courts, schools, healthcare providers and social welfare agencies.

Every State should maintain accessible reporting channels, functional child-protection services, emergency referral arrangements and safe shelters for children facing immediate danger. Government should publish periodic data on reported cases, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and survivor support, while safeguarding children’s identities and privacy.

The National Human Rights Commission and other relevant oversight institutions, should strengthen monitoring of violations and improve access to remedies. Public officials who deliberately obstruct investigations or unlawfully suppress complaints, should face appropriate disciplinary or legal consequences.

Finally, legal reform must be matched by adequate funding, public education and political will. Laws that are unknown to communities, inaccessible to victims or routinely unenforced cannot provide meaningful protection. Traditional and religious leaders, parents, educators, civil society organisations and the media must become active partners in changing attitudes that normalise abuse.

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN

Nigerian Girl Child in Urgent Need of Protection

Professor Joy Ezeilo,  SAN

Protecting the girl child from early, forced, and exploitative marriage must remain a national priority. While Nigeria’s laws prohibit child marriage below 18, we must confront a deeper and often overlooked reality: marriages involving extremely wide age gaps, sometimes 25 to 40 years, are inherently exploitative, even when the girl is technically above 18.

Such unions are not partnerships; they are power‑imbalanced relationships where consent is compromised by age, vulnerability, economic pressure, and social inequality. They expose girls to: sexual exploitation, reproductive health risks, interrupted education, psychological harm and lifelong economic dependence.

During my tenure as UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, I encountered this issue in Egypt, where the law recognised that marriages with extreme age disparities could constitute exploitation and trafficking. At the time, under President Mubarak, Egypt adopted legal measures to curb such practices because they were being used to mask sexual exploitation under the guise of “marriage”.

Nigeria Must Adopt Similar Protections 

The recent case involving a former Senator and an 18‑year‑old girl, illustrates the urgent need for reform. Even though the girl is legally an adult, the over 35‑year age gap raises serious concerns about exploitation, unequal bargaining power, and the use of marriage as a shield for predatory behaviour. Our laws must evolve, to address these realities.

A Call for Legal Reform

Nigeria should consider legislation that: criminalises marriages with extreme age gaps where exploitation is evident, even when the girl is above 18; recognises such marriages as potential trafficking or exploitation, especially when financial inducement, coercion, or manipulation is involved; protects girls from predatory adults who use wealth, influence, or power to secure sexual access under the guise of marriage;  ensures that consent is meaningful, not coerced by poverty, family pressure, or unequal power dynamics.

This is not about policing relationships; it is about protecting vulnerable girls, from exploitation disguised as marriage.

As we mark the International Day of the Girl Child, our message must be unequivocal:

Education First, Marriage Later

Investing in girls’ education, is the most powerful tool we have to end early and exploitative marriage. Educated girls marry later, earn more, lead healthier lives, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Girls deserve safe schools, quality education, protection from violence, opportunities to thrive, and freedom from harmful practices that limit their futures.

Professor Joy Ezeilo, SAN, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu; former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons

The Nigerian Girl Child: Between Cultural Bondage, Violence and the Struggle for Dignity

Dame Joyce Oduah, FICMC

The celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child should be more than an annual ritual of speeches, slogans and colourful photographs. It should be a moment of national introspection, a time to examine honestly whether Nigeria is protecting its girls, safeguarding their childhood and creating an environment in which every girl can grow up with dignity, security and equal opportunity.

The girl child is not merely the woman of tomorrow; she is a citizen of today, entitled to the full protection of the law, the opportunity to acquire an education, the freedom to develop her potential and the right to live without fear of violence, exploitation or discrimination.

Yet, for millions of Nigerian girls, childhood remains a fragile privilege rather than a protected right. Their experiences are shaped by poverty, harmful cultural practices, gender inequality, insecurity, sexual violence and the persistent failure of institutions to translate legal protections into lived realities.

The plight of the Nigerian girl child is therefore, not simply a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue, a public health concern, a national development challenge and a test of our collective conscience.

Child Marriage: When Childhood is Stolen

One of the most troubling manifestations of gender inequality in Nigeria is child marriage. In parts of the country, particularly in the North, girls as young as 13, 14, 15 and 16 are given in marriage, often without meaningful consent and sometimes before they fully understand the implications of the decision being made on their behalf.

UNICEF reported in December 2025 that 33.4% of young Nigerian women had married before the age of 18, with prevalence approaching 50% in the North-East and North-West. 

Early marriage exposes girls to serious health risks, including complications associated with adolescent pregnancy. It frequently interrupts education, restricts economic independence and increases vulnerability to domestic abuse. Where a girl is financially dependent on her husband and socially isolated from support systems, leaving an abusive relationship can become extremely difficult.

Respect for cultural and religious traditions, must never become a licence to perpetuate harm. Our traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and community elders must become active partners in ending child marriage, rather than passive observers of a practice that deprives girls of their childhood.

Female Genital Mutilation: The Persistence of a Harmful Practice

Female genital mutilation (FGM), is another disturbing violation of the rights and bodily integrity of the girl child. Despite legislation prohibiting the practice, it continues in some communities, sustained by tradition, social pressure and misconceptions about femininity, marriageability and religious expectations.

The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reported that 14% of women aged 15-49 had undergone FGM, down from 20% in 2018. This decline is encouraging, but it does not mean the problem has disappeared. 

FGM has no health benefits. Depending on the nature of the procedure, it can cause severe pain, bleeding, infection, psychological trauma and long-term reproductive and sexual health complications.

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 criminalises female circumcision and genital mutilation within its applicable jurisdiction, while States that have enacted corresponding laws, have additional legal mechanisms for addressing the practice. The problem is not simply the absence of laws; it is the gap between legislation and enforcement. Families, practitioners and communities must understand that the harmful nature of a practice does not disappear, because it has been performed for generations.

Law enforcement agencies must investigate and prosecute offences in accordance with the law, while governments and civil society organisations intensify public education and provide support to survivors. Traditional and religious leaders must also challenge the myths that allow FGM to survive.

The body of a girl child, is not the property of her community. Her bodily integrity must be respected.

Child Rape and Incest: The Betrayal of Trust

Perhaps, even more distressing is the prevalence of sexual violence against children, including rape and incest. These crimes are especially devastating because the perpetrators are sometimes people entrusted with the child’s care and protection – relatives, neighbours, teachers, guardians or other familiar adults.

For a child, the home should be a place of safety. When abuse occurs within the family, the betrayal can be profound. Fear, shame, threats, financial dependence and pressure to protect family reputation, may prevent victims from speaking out.

In some cases, families settle such matters privately, pressure the child into silence, or prioritise the reputation of the perpetrator over the welfare of the victim. Such responses compound the original injury, and allow offenders to escape accountability.

There is no family honour, in concealing the rape of a child. There is no religious virtue in silencing a victim, and there is no legitimate cultural justification, for protecting a perpetrator at the expense of an innocent child.

A child who discloses sexual abuse must be listened to, protected and treated with dignity. Reports must be handled promptly by trained professionals, with appropriate medical care, psychosocial support and lawful investigation. Justice must be pursued, without exposing victims to further humiliation or unnecessary publicity.

The Police, health professionals, social workers, schools and the courts must work together to create a child-sensitive response system. Equally important, sex education appropriate to a child’s age should help children understand bodily boundaries, recognise inappropriate conduct and identify trusted adults to whom they can report abuse.

We must teach children that they have a right to safety, and teach adults that responsibility for preventing abuse rests with them – not with the child.

Domestic Labour, Exploitation and Violence

The plight of the Nigerian girl child, is also evident in domestic labour and exploitation. Many girls are taken from rural communities to urban centres under arrangements described as fostering, apprenticeship or domestic service. Some are promised education and better opportunities, but, instead, find themselves performing exhausting household chores, caring for younger children and enduring verbal, physical or sexual abuse.

Domestic work is not inherently exploitative. However, when a child is deprived of education, subjected to excessive working hours, denied adequate food and rest, or exposed to violence and degrading treatment, the arrangement becomes a serious child-protection concern.

Girls in domestic service may be particularly vulnerable, because they live in the homes of those who control their livelihood and may have little access to relatives, teachers or other sources of help.

Government agencies responsible for labour, education and child welfare must strengthen monitoring and intervention mechanisms. Communities should discourage exploitative placements, while families must be made aware that sending a child away, doesn’t transfer or extinguish their responsibility for her welfare.

Education: The Most Powerful Instrument of Liberation

Underlying many of these challenges, is the denial of education. A girl who is not in school is more vulnerable to early marriage, economic exploitation and cycles of dependence. Education does not eliminate every danger, but it expands a girl’s choices, strengthens her confidence and improves her ability to participate in decisions affecting her life.

Nigeria must therefore, treat girls’ education as a national priority. Governments should invest in safe schools, adequate facilities, trained teachers, menstrual hygiene support, and programmes that reduce the financial burden of schooling on poor families.

In communities affected by insecurity, particular attention must be given to protecting schools, and ensuring that displaced girls can continue their education. Girls with disabilities and those living in remote or underserved communities, must not be left behind.

Parents, too, have a critical responsibility. A daughter’s education is not a favour bestowed upon her; it is an investment in her future, and in the prosperity of the entire family.

From Laws on Paper to Protection in Practice

Nigeria has established important legal safeguards, including the Child Rights Act 2003, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and the Federal prohibition of FGM under the VAPP Act. These frameworks provide important foundations for protecting children, and addressing gender-based violence.

Nevertheless, implementation remains uneven. The existence of a law does not automatically guarantee justice to a girl living in a community where harmful practices are tolerated, reporting mechanisms are inaccessible or perpetrators enjoy social influence.

Federal and State governments must strengthen enforcement, improve access to justice and ensure that child-protection agencies are adequately funded and staffed. States must address gaps in their legal frameworks, while law enforcement officers and judicial personnel require appropriate training to handle cases involving children sensitively and effectively.

There must also be accessible reporting channels, safe shelters, legal assistance, medical care and rehabilitation services for survivors. Public institutions should collect reliable, disaggregated data to identify vulnerable populations, monitor progress and hold responsible agencies accountable.

Above all, implementation must reach the communities where girls face the greatest risks, rather than remaining confined to policy documents and urban conferences.

A Collective Responsibility

The protection of the girl child, cannot be left to government alone. Parents must nurture, rather than diminish their daughters’ aspirations. Traditional rulers must use their influence, to dismantle harmful practices. Religious leaders must promote compassion, justice and human dignity. Schools must provide safe environments. The media must expose abuses responsibly, without compromising victims’ identities. Civil society organisations must continue advocacy, education and survivor support.

Boys and men must also be part of this conversation. Gender equality is not a contest between the sexes; it is a commitment to a society in which every human being is treated with dignity. We must raise boys who understand consent, reject violence and regard girls as equal human beings, rather than possessions.

The girl child must also be given a voice, in decisions affecting her welfare. Policies designed for girls are more likely to succeed when girls themselves are heard, and their experiences taken seriously.

Conclusion

The Nigeria We Owe Our Girls

The International Day of the Girl Child should compel us to ask a difficult question: what does it mean to celebrate the Nigerian girl child when some girls are still being married off before adulthood, subjected to genital mutilation, raped by people they trust, exploited as domestic workers or denied the education necessary to fulfil their potential?

We cannot celebrate girls in public, while tolerating their suffering in private. We cannot praise their resilience, while refusing to remove the conditions that make survival such a difficult task. Nor can we claim to be building a prosperous nation, while millions of girls remain vulnerable to practices that undermine their health, education and freedom.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, dream and determine the course of her own life. Her childhood must not be negotiated away, her body must not be violated, her voice must not be silenced, and her future must not be sacrificed on the altar of poverty, prejudice or harmful tradition.

The Nigerian girl child, doesn’t need our sympathy alone. She needs our protection, our investment, our courage and our unwavering commitment to justice.

The future of Nigeria depends, in no small measure, on whether we have the wisdom and the will to give her this.

Dame Joyce Oduah, FICMC, Principal Partner of Joyce and Okey Oduah LP; Secretary General, the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU); Council Member, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) Representing Nigeria; Former General Secretary, NBA

Protecting the Girl Child When Social Norms Collide with Legal Norms

Dr Willy Mamah

Growing up as a girl child in Nigeria is, for too many girls, a battle for survival. For many, the struggle begins in the supposed safety of their own homes, where they suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of relatives and neighbours. In schools, for those fortunate enough to be enrolled, some encounter similar challenges from teachers and mentors they hold in high esteem. Even when they seek refuge and solace in religious and worship places, some are confronted with physical, emotional and sexual abuse. East, West, North and South, the picture is distressingly similar, even if the nature and scale of the challenges differ.

Violence against girls, often driven by harmful social and cultural norms, unequal power relations and deepening insecurity, is making childhood increasingly precarious. This is both paradoxical and deeply concerning. The paradox lies in the fact that Nigeria has an extensive legal framework for the protection of the girl child, yet its promise has not consistently translated into effective protection. All 36 states of the Federation have adopted Child Rights legislation, drawing on the federal Child Rights Act of 2003, which gives effect to Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention establishes important standards for the protection, survival, development and participation of children. In addition, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, alongside corresponding legislation adopted by several states, provides further protections against gender-based violence. The Penal and Criminal Codes also establish offences and penalties relevant to child protection and the prosecution of perpetrators. Beyond legislation, Nigeria has established institutions and mechanisms intended to strengthen child protection and access to justice. Yet, despite these laudable measures, girls across the country continue to confront formidable barriers to safety, dignity and the fulfilment of their potential.

Recent reports and investigations, paint a deeply troubling picture. The Federal Government’s Ministry of Budget and UNICEF’s Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Nigeria (2024), UNICEF’s The State of Nigeria’s Children (2024), Human Rights Watch’s Report, 10 Years After Chibok, Schoolchildren Still at Risk (2024), and its World Report 2026: Nigeria, among other publications, highlight persistent challenges affecting children’s survival, education and protection. Media investigations have also exposed the trauma families endure when seeking justice, and the obstacles between reporting abuse and securing accountability.

The significance of these reports lies not merely in the individual cases they document, but in the broader questions they raise about the capacity of our laws and institutions to protect children, especially girls. Investigations into child marriage, reveal another dimension of the crisis. 

In March 2026, Premium Times documented communities in Ebonyi and Cross River State, where poverty, customary practices and social expectations, continue to push girls into marriage and away from education. In October 2025, another Premium Times investigation, “Married to Escape Rape: In Zamfara, Conflict Forces Parents to Trade Daughters for Safety”, documented how insecurity and the fear of abduction and sexual violence, were driving some families to marry off their underage daughters in the hope of protecting them. 

Insecurity has also had devastating consequences, for children’s safety and education. In November 2025, UNICEF reported the abduction of children and teachers from a secondary school in Niger State, following the separate abduction of 25 schoolgirls from a boarding school in Kebbi State. Such incidents illustrate how insecurity compounds children’s vulnerabilities and undermines their rights to education and protection.

Taken together, these realities bring into sharp focus the tension between legal norms that promise protection and social norms that sustain, excuse or normalise violations. Four urgent questions therefore, demand our attention. Why should violations of the rights of the girl child concern us all? Why do legal norms collide with social norms? Who sustains these harmful norms, and how can they be challenged? And, what must we do to strengthen protection?

The Girl Child as a Measure of Development

We must look beyond conventional development indicators, to find a more revealing test of human progress. I argue that the true measure of a country’s development lies in how it treats its children – the most vulnerable, and often, the least heard members of society. This is particularly important for the girl child, whose opportunities and freedoms may be constrained by the combined effects of gender inequality, harmful social expectations, violence, poverty and insecurity. Nigeria must therefore, ask not only how much wealth it produces, but also whether its girls can grow up safely, remain in school, exercise agency, enjoy equal dignity and realise their potentials. Where a girl is denied these basic opportunities because of the circumstances of her birth or the social norms surrounding her, development remains incomplete. The question, then, is not simply why laws have failed to eliminate violations against girls. It is also why the social norms that undermine those laws remain so resilient – and what it will take to change them.

The Collision of Norms

Female genital mutilation (FGM) illustrates the collision between legal norms and deeply embedded social practices. It reveals why criminalising a harmful practice, although necessary, may not be sufficient to eliminate it when the practice remains socially accepted, culturally defended or reinforced by influential members of the community. The words of the law may remain identical, but the meanings communities attach to them may not. This helps explain why criminal sanctions alone may struggle to eliminate FGM, where the practice is sustained by deeply rooted beliefs and defended by influential community members. One challenge is, the silence that surrounds violations. Girls subjected to FGM are often children who lack the power, information or opportunity to speak for themselves. Communities in which the practice has been normalised, may also be reluctant to report it. This silence is reinforced when respected community members act as guardians of established practices, and discourage challenges to the prevailing order. 

Another challenge lies in the narratives, through which communities understand their identities and obligations. Every community tells stories about who its members are, where they came from, what justice means, what suffering entails and what obligations people owe one another. Such stories shape how people understand not only their traditions, but also the laws that seek to regulate them. 

Two important dimensions of law. The first is jurispathy: the process through which authoritative legal decisions select among competing interpretations and suppress others. Courts must eventually resolve disputes, and their judgements can displace alternative understandings of legal meaning. The second is jurisgenesis – the creation of normative meaning within communities. Families, communities, churches, mosques, human rights advocates and other social actors, can generate new understandings of obligation and justice. They can also help give practical life to legal principles before, and beyond, the moment a Judge pronounces on them. This distinction is important. The law does not operate only in courtrooms or parliamentary chambers. It also encounters the beliefs, relationships and everyday practices, through which people understand what is acceptable.

The implication is not that, legislation should wait until communities are ready to change. Rather, legal prohibition and social transformation must proceed together. The law establishes the standard and provides a basis for accountability; community engagement helps challenge the beliefs, and relationships that sustain harmful practices. This is where civil society organisations, especially Child Protection Networks, and international partners, including UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women and Save the Children, can play an important role. Laws may be enacted in parliamentary chambers, but the norms that determine how children are treated must also be challenged in homes, places of worship, schools and community spaces, including communities that are difficult to reach.

The Neem Tree Dialogue: When Storytelling Inspires Action

Laws, policies and public declarations, important as they are, cannot by themselves transform the beliefs and relationships within which children grow up. Prevention must also engage the family and community environment, that shape their lives.

Recently, UNICEF, in collaboration with Government Partners, a community-based non-governmental organisation and traditional institutions, launched a positive-parenting programme titled The Neem Tree Dialogue at the Emir of Zazzau’s palace in Zaria, Kaduna State. This innovative community action initiative, which received royal blessings, was inspired in part by In the Shadow of the Neem Tree, a fictional, deceptively simple but revealing book by Maryam Marwa Abdu, a grassroots Lawyer and advocate. 

Set in the rural, agrarian village of Chikakuku, the novel follows Talatu, a 13-year-old girl who dreams of education and becoming an entrepreneur, but finds herself caught between her aspirations and expectations surrounding gender, family, culture and marriage. Through her story, the reader encounters not an abstract policy problem but the lives, choices, contradictions and consequences that shape children’s experiences. The book also raises an important question: who has the authority to define culture, and whose interests are served by particular interpretations of it? Its contrasting perspectives on tradition remind us that harmful practices are not necessarily supported by a single, universally accepted cultural position.

The Neem Tree Dialogue seeks to take these questions beyond the pages of a book, and into community spaces. Through storytelling, town hall meetings, focus-group discussions, creative approaches, parenting sessions and engagement with trusted community institutions, it aims to encourage reflection on positive parenting, violence against children, child marriage and the social norms that either protect or endanger them. Before scaling up, its initial ambition is to work with at least 1,000 parents across five targeted communities in Zaria. The aim is to strengthen parenting practices, improve awareness of violence against children, support the participation of girls and boys, and create a community-owned platform for sustained dialogue. This is an initiative whose impact must ultimately be assessed, through implementation and evidence. Its underlying proposition, however, is important: storytelling can open difficult conversations, and conversations can help communities identify pathways to change. Traditional and religious leaders, parents, women, young people and children must be participants in this process. Dialogue should not be a substitute for the law, or a means of excusing abuse. It should help build the social commitment that makes prevention possible, and protection more effective.

Beyond Commemoration: From Concern to Responsibility

We must go beyond commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child. The day should leave us with more than renewed expressions of concern. It should challenge governments to strengthen implementation and accountability, by moving beyond legal provisions to adequate budgetary allocations, effective enforcement and sustained community engagement. It should also inspire institutions and professional bodies, such as the Nigerian Bar Association, to strengthen survivor support and access to justice. Above all, it should awaken families and communities to question practices that deny girls their childhood, dignity and agency. Constructing roads, building flyovers and developing rail networks are important achievements. But, the true measure of our progress lies not only in what we build, produce or accumulate. It also lies in whether those with the least power among us can live safely, free from violence and fear, and are empowered to realise their potentials. The choices we make, will determine how future generations judge us. 

A community cannot truly prosper if its children are not safe, heard, nurtured and given the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Protecting the girl child is therefore, not merely a child-protection responsibility. It is an obligation we owe to what I call our “larger selves”- the shared human inheritance through which our wellbeing, our future and our continuity extend beyond our individual lives, even beyond the graves and dust of time.

Willy Mamah, PhD, child-protection specialist and writer on law, society, sustainable and child-centred development

The Nigerian Girl Child: Between the Promise of Her Potential and the Pain of Her Reality

Paulyn O. Abhulimen-Okpalefe, SAN

Introduction

A Childhood Interrupted

The girl child is not merely a daughter, a future wife, or a potential mother. She is a human being with inherent dignity, fundamental rights, dreams, aspirations, and an equal claim to the opportunities of life. She is a Future Leader, Scientist, Lawyer, Doctor, Entrepreneur, Teacher, Mother, or President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yet, for millions of Nigerian girls, the promise of childhood is overshadowed by a disturbing reality of discrimination, harmful cultural practices, sexual violence, forced marriage, domestic servitude and the denial of education.

As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, we must look beyond ceremonial speeches, colourful campaigns and social media hashtags, to confront an uncomfortable question: What does it mean to celebrate the Nigerian Girl Child, when so many Girls are still denied the basic right to be children?

The Nigerian girl child stands at the intersection of poverty, gender inequality, social exclusion, insecurity and institutional failure. Although progress has been recorded in some areas, the magnitude of the challenges confronting her demands urgent, coordinated and sustained national action.

UNICEF’s Nigerian Child 2025 Report underscores the scale of the crisis: two out of every three Nigerian children live in multidimensional poverty, while violence remains a pervasive threat. Recent data also indicate that approximately one in three young Nigerian women, is married before the age of 18. These figures represent not merely statistics, but childhoods disrupted and futures diminished.

Child Marriage: When Childhood is Sacrificed:

One of the most disturbing violations of the rights of the Nigerian girl child, is child and forced marriage. In parts of the country, particularly in some communities in Northern Nigeria, girls as young as 13, 14, 15 and 16 are married off before they possess the emotional, psychological or physical maturity to assume the responsibilities of marriage. The Nigerian Girl Child is forcefully removed from her cradle, giving rise to a baby babying babies!.

The practice is often sustained by poverty, entrenched social norms, insecurity and misconceptions about religion and family honour. In some instances, a girl is withdrawn from school and given in marriage because her family regards her education as unnecessary, or considers marriage a means of alleviating economic hardship.

Early marriage exposes the girl child to early pregnancy, childbirth complications (in some cases death/VVF), domestic abuse, psychological trauma and the permanent loss of educational opportunities.

Marriage should never become a socially acceptable disguise, for the abandonment of a child’s rights. Cultural and religious sensitivities deserve respect, but, no custom should be invoked to justify the destruction of a child’s dignity, safety and future.

The Child Rights Act 2003 establishes 18 years as the minimum age of marriage under its framework. However, implementation remains uneven, because the Act has not been domesticated in every State. This legal fragmentation creates serious protection gaps, and undermines the principle that every Nigerian child deserves equal protection, irrespective of where she is born.

Female Genital Mutilation: An Assault On Bodily Integrity:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains another deeply troubling practice, affecting Nigerian girls. Despite legislation prohibiting it, some communities continue to subject girls to procedures that can cause severe pain, bleeding, infection, long-term physical complications, psychological harm and even death in some cases.

FGM is sometimes defended as a cultural rite of passage, or a means of preserving chastity and securing marriage prospects. Such justifications cannot withstand the demands of human dignity, bodily integrity and the protection of children from preventable harm.

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 criminalises female circumcision and genital mutilation within its applicable legal framework. Yet, the persistence of the practice exposes the gulf between having a law, and ensuring compliance with it.

Legislation alone cannot eradicate a deeply entrenched practice. Government must strengthen enforcement, prosecute offenders in accordance with due process, protect girls at risk, and engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and community health workers in sustained public education. The message must be unequivocal: a harmful practice does not become acceptable, merely because it is traditional.

Child Rape, Incest and Sexual Exploitation: Betrayal Within the Walls of Trust

Perhaps, even more heartbreaking are cases of child rape, incest and sexual exploitation. For many girls, danger does not come from strangers lurking outside the home; it comes from persons entrusted with their protection – relatives, guardians, neighbours, teachers or other authority figures.

Incestuous abuse is particularly devastating, because it destroys the child’s sense of safety within the very environment where she ought to be most secure. Worse still, victims are sometimes silenced through threats, intimidation, shame, financial dependence or pressure to preserve family reputation.

The tendency to blame the victim, question her character, or demand silence in order to protect the family name is an additional injustice. A child who reports sexual abuse needs protection, not suspicion; compassion, not condemnation; and justice, not a negotiated silence.

Sexual violence against a child, must never be treated as a private family embarrassment. It is a serious violation of the law and the child’s fundamental rights. 

Parents and guardians must also teach children about bodily autonomy, inappropriate touching, personal boundaries, and the importance of speaking to trusted adults. Such education does not corrupt childhood; it equips children to recognise danger, and seek help immediately.

Domestic Labour, Violence and the Invisible Suffering of Girls

Another dimension of the plight of the Nigerian girl child, is the exploitation of girls as domestic workers. Some are sent to live with relatives or unrelated households under arrangements ostensibly intended to provide education, training or better opportunities. Instead, they become unpaid or underpaid domestic servants, enduring physical or verbal abuse.

Many are denied schooling, adequate nutrition, rest, and opportunities for personal development. Some are subjected to sexual exploitation, and treated as though their young age deprives them of the right to complain.

Domestic violence against girls also takes the form of excessive corporal punishment, humiliation, neglect, deprivation, and psychological abuse. The home, which should be a sanctuary, can become a place of fear.

We must distinguish legitimate, age-appropriate household responsibilities from exploitative labour that endangers a child’s health, education, safety or development. Poverty cannot be an excuse for abuse, and the label of a “house-help” must never diminish a child’s humanity.

Book to the Streets: The Law Must Move from the Statute

Nigeria is not without a legal framework for protecting children. The central problem is the persistent gap, between legal provisions and practical enforcement. A law that exists only on paper offers little comfort to a girl facing imminent forced marriage, sexual abuse or genital mutilation.

The Federal and State Governments must strengthen child-protection institutions, ensure effective implementation of applicable laws, improve access to justice and provide adequately funded shelters, counselling services and rehabilitation programmes. 

States that have yet to enact comprehensive child-rights legislation must address those gaps as a matter of priority, while all States must ensure that existing protections are effectively enforced.

Education and Economic Empowerment: The Foundations of Freedom

Education is the Passport to the future, not only for the girl child, but for the boy child too. Governments must ensure access to free, safe, and quality basic education, particularly for girls in rural communities, conflict-affected areas and economically disadvantaged households. School retention programmes, scholarships, safe transport, adequate sanitation facilities and support for vulnerable families, can help prevent girls from being withdrawn from school and pushed into early marriage or exploitative labour.

Parents must also recognise that, educating a daughter is not a wasted investment. It is an investment in the family, the community and the nation. Educating and training a girl child creates a multiplier effect that uplifts entire families, strengthens communities and shapes the future of a nation.  Educated and trained girl child has generational impact, because when they grow into skilled women, they could pass down values, knowledge and healthy habits to their children, securing the success of the next generation. We must always remember that Nemo dat quod non habet, meaning “no one can give what they do not have”.

Men and boys must equally be engaged in promoting respect, equality and zero tolerance for violence.

A National Call to Conscience

The protection of the Nigerian girl child, cannot be left to Government alone. It is a shared responsibility involving parents, schools, religious institutions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media, the legal profession and every responsible citizen.

We must create an environment in which girls can report abuse without fear, where perpetrators are held accountable, where survivors receive support, and where no girl is forced to choose between her education and her survival.

Most importantly, we must stop romanticising harmful traditions, and stop treating violence against girls as an inevitable feature of our society.

Conclusion: Let her be a Child

The true measure of a nation’s civilisation is not merely its economic growth, political influence, or physical infrastructure. It is also the dignity it accords its most vulnerable citizens, and the protection it provides to those who cannot adequately defend themselves.

The Nigerian girl child deserves more than annual celebrations and promises. She deserves safety in her home, protection in her community, quality education in her school, justice in our courts and equal opportunity in our society.

Let us build a Nigeria where no girl is forced into marriage before adulthood, no child is subjected to genital mutilation, no daughter is violated by a trusted relative, and no young girl is condemned to domestic servitude because she was born into poverty.

When we protect a girl, we protect a generation. When we educate her, we strengthen a nation. When we defend her rights, we affirm our collective humanity.

Let the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, become more than a date on the calendar. Let it become a national commitment to action – a solemn promise that every Nigerian girl, regardless of her birthplace, background or circumstances, shall have the freedom to grow, learn, dream and fulfil her God-given potential.

Conclusively, the Nigerian Girl Child must not merely survive her childhood. She must be allowed to live it, enjoy it and emerge from it empowered to shape her own destiny.

Paulyn O. Abhulimen-Okpalefe, SAN, MCIArb (UK), Notary Public of FRN & the State of Georgia

Nigerian Girl Child: Confronting the Menace, Breaking the Cycle and Building a Safer Future

Mandy Demechi -Asagba

Introduction

The Nigerian Girl Child in the Face of Overwhelming Challenges

The plight of the Nigerian girl child, remains one of the country’s most pressing human rights and social development concerns. Despite existing laws, public awareness campaigns, National, Continental and international commitments, millions of girls continue to face child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), rape, incest, domestic violence, exploitative labour and barriers to education.

These violations are not isolated incidents. They reflect deeply rooted inequalities, poverty, harmful cultural practices, gender discrimination and failures in the enforcement of protective laws. From girls forced into marriage when they should be pursuing their education, to children subjected to sexual abuse within their own homes, the scale of the problem is humongous and demands urgent and sustained national action.

The critical question is not simply why these abuses persist, but what Nigeria must do to eradicate them at their roots and guarantee every girl child the right to live in safety, dignity and freedom.

My assessment is that protecting the Nigerian girl child requires a comprehensive approach involving government, families, traditional and religious institutions, schools, civil society, the media and the private sector (whole people, whole government and whole industry approach).

Nigeria must move beyond celebrating the girl child, to building a society in which every girl can grow, learn, thrive and fulfil her potential without fear of violence, discrimination or exploitation.

Scary Statistics : What the Data Reveals

Nigeria faces a child-protection crisis of alarming proportions.

UNICEF reports that Nigeria has more than 23 million girls and women who were married during childhood, making the country home to the largest population of child brides in Africa. Approximately 19.9 million Nigerian women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation. UNICEF has also reported widespread violence against children, including sexual violence against girls.

The State of the Nigerian Girl Report II (2025), published by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Save the Children Nigeria, indicates progress in reducing child marriage prevalence. However, substantial regional inequalities remain, particularly in the North-West and North-East.

These figures are not merely statistics; they represent millions of disrupted childhoods, endangered lives and diminished opportunities. They also demonstrate that progress, although possible, remains insufficient.

The challenge is particularly severe where poverty, insecurity, limited educational opportunities and entrenched gender inequalities reinforce one another.

The Major Threats Confronting the Nigerian Girl Child

Child and forced marriage

In parts of Northern Nigeria, girls as young as 13 to 16 are reportedly forced into early marriage, often without meaningful consent. Sometimes described as “cold marriage”, this practice raises serious concerns about childhood, consent, reproductive health and the right to education.

A girl should not be made to bear the burden of her family’s poverty, by sacrificing her childhood and future. Protecting her requires addressing the economic and social conditions, that make early marriage appear to be a solution. The negative consequences of child marriage, far outweigh its benefits, if any.

Female Genital Mutilation 

Female genital mutilation is a harmful practice, involving the non-medical alteration or injury of female genital organs. It can cause severe pain, bleeding, infections, psychological trauma, sexual difficulties and complications during childbirth.

Its persistence, despite legal prohibitions, reveals the gap between legislation and implementation. In some communities, the practice is sustained by social pressure, misinformation and the mistaken belief that it is necessary for cultural acceptance.

Eradicating FGM requires effective law enforcement, sustained community education, engagement with traditional and religious leaders, and appropriate healthcare and psychological support for survivors. Healthcare professionals must also reject the medicalisation of the practice.

Rape, Incest and Sexual Abuse

Sexual violence against children is especially devastating when the perpetrator is a family member, caregiver, teacher or another trusted person. Incest represents a profound betrayal of the child’s trust and security.

Survivors may suffer physical injuries, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and lasting difficulties with trust and relationships.

The situation becomes worse when families conceal abuse to protect their reputation, blame the victim, or pressure the child into silence. Such responses protect perpetrators, at the expense of vulnerable children.

Every allegation must be taken seriously and investigated lawfully. Survivors must receive prompt medical care, psychosocial support and access to justice without intimidation, stigma or discrimination.

Domestic Violence and Exploitative Labour

Many girls experience physical punishment, emotional abuse, neglect and excessive domestic responsibilities. Others are subjected to trafficking, hazardous labour or arrangements that deprive them of education, rest and normal childhood development.

These violations frequently reinforce one another. Poverty may force a girl out of school, educational exclusion increases her vulnerability to exploitation, and abuse further diminishes her opportunities.

The Short- and Long-Term Consequences

The effects of violence against, girls extend beyond the immediate victim.

In the short term, victims may experience injuries, infections, fear, emotional distress, unwanted pregnancy, disrupted schooling and social isolation.

In the long term, survivors may face chronic health complications, psychological trauma, reduced educational attainment, economic dependence and increased vulnerability to further abuse. Although these outcomes are not inevitable, inadequate protection and support increase the risks.

At the family and community levels, these violations normalise violence, reinforce gender inequality and perpetuate cycles of poverty.

At the national level, Nigeria loses valuable human capital, productivity, innovation and future leadership. Every girl denied education, safety and opportunity represents a loss of potential that could otherwise contribute to national development.

Globally, these violations undermine commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Protecting girls is therefore, not charity. It is a human rights obligation and an investment in healthier families, stronger institutions, guaranteed security, a more prosperous society and Nation.

The Legal Framework: Why do these Abuses Persist?

Nigeria has established important legal protections for children, but implementation remains uneven.

The Child Rights Act 2003, particularly sections 21 and 22, prohibits child marriage and betrothal within its framework. However, state-level adoption and implementation remain important considerations in ensuring consistent protection throughout the federation.

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 criminalises various forms of violence, including FGM and rape, within its applicable jurisdiction. Its implementation must be considered alongside relevant state legislation.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, provides protections including the right to life under section 33, right to  dignity under section 34 and freedom from discrimination under section 42.

Nigeria’s obligations under international and regional human rights instruments further reinforce the need to protect children from violence, exploitation and harmful practices.

The principal challenge is the gap between legal protection, and the lived experiences of girls. Weak enforcement, inadequate funding, limited access to justice, social stigma and community resistance can prevent existing laws from delivering meaningful protection.

The question is no longer simply whether Nigeria recognises the rights of the girl child, but whether those rights are effectively enforced in every home, school and community.

Tackling the Root Causes: A Whole-of-Society Approach

Eradicating these abuses requires a coordinated strategy that addresses their underlying causes, while strengthening protection and accountability.

First, Government must move from legislation to effective enforcement. Federal, State and local authorities should adequately fund child-protection institutions, strengthen implementation of existing laws and ensure that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted fairly. Accessible reporting channels, child-friendly investigative procedures, shelters and survivor-support services must be available.

Second, education and economic empowerment must be prioritised. Scholarships, school meals, safe transportation, vocational training and digital skills can help girls remain in school and develop economic independence. Social protection programmes should support vulnerable families, so that poverty does not become a justification for child marriage or exploitative labour.

Third, families, traditional rulers and religious leaders must become active partners in prevention. Community engagement should challenge harmful practices, without stigmatising entire communities. Respected leaders can help transform social attitudes by publicly rejecting child marriage, FGM and sexual violence while promoting girls’ education and dignity.

Fourth, healthcare and psychosocial services must be strengthened. Healthcare professionals should be trained to identify and respond to abuse, provide confidential and appropriate treatment, and refer survivors for legal and psychological support. 

Fifth, industry and the media must accept their safeguarding responsibilities. Employers should prevent child labour and exploitation, implement child-protection policies and provide safe complaint mechanisms. Media organisations must report responsibly. Technology companies should strengthen measures, against online grooming and sexual exploitation.

Sixth, prevention must begin early. Age-appropriate education on personal safety, bodily autonomy, boundaries and seeking help should be encouraged. Schools and communities need trusted safeguarding officers, confidential reporting systems and rapid responses to suspected abuse or forced marriage.

Finally, civil society organisations must continue to provide legal assistance, support survivors, monitor government performance and advocate for reforms that translate rights into reality.

Creating a Safe Haven for Every Girl Child

Nigeria needs a measurable, adequately funded national action plan, with clear responsibilities and regular public reporting.

Special attention must be given to girls in conflict-affected communities, rural areas, poor households and other circumstances that increase vulnerability.

Government, development partners, civil society and the private sector should work together to provide resources, monitor outcomes and ensure that interventions reach the girls who need them most.

Above all, prevention must address the root causes of abuse: poverty, gender inequality, harmful social norms, unequal power relations and the failure to hold perpetrators accountable.

Conclusion

The Girl Child isn’t the Problem; the Failure to Protect Her is

Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development while millions of girls are denied the freedom to learn, grow, dream and live without fear.

We cannot preach family values, while tolerating incest. We cannot celebrate culture, while permitting practices that mutilate girls or force them into premature marriage. We cannot promise equal opportunity while denying girls the education, security and dignity necessary to participate fully in society.

The solution demands political will, social courage, adequate investment and collective responsibility.

Foster Parenting

The Government should be intentional in establishing structure for foster parenting, and save the nation from colossal waste in the guise of security votes. Protecting the girl child, securing the future of the nation and the world.

I strongly believe that investing in the girl child, is investing in security. A girl who is protected, educated and empowered today is better equipped to raise a generation grounded in love, discipline, compassion, and responsibility. Government must therefore, prioritise her education, safety, welfare, and development, while investing in structured foster care and parenting systems for vulnerable children. Rather than spending billions on security votes while insecurity persists, we must invest strategically in prevention, by addressing the root causes of violence, neglect, and social instability. When we protect the girl child, we protect the boy child. When we secure her future, we secure the future of the family, the nation, and the world.

A safe haven for the girl child, is more than a place free from physical harm. It is a society where her dignity is respected, her voice is heard, her education is protected and her future is not determined by poverty, fear or discrimination.

The true measure of our civilisation is not how loudly we celebrate our girls, but how consistently we protect their rights.

Let Nigeria move from awareness to action, from promises to accountability, and from isolated interventions to a national movement that makes every home, school, community and institution a place of safety for every girl child. When we empower every girl to fulfil her potential, we help build a safer, fairer and more prosperous world.

Mandy Demechi-Asagba, President, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International Inc