Child marriage in Nigeria

Child Marriage in Nigeria. In 2017 in Nigeria, 43% of girls are married off before the age of 18. 17% are married before they turn 15.[1] Nigeria is the 11th highest nation in the world for child marriage.

Data shows a 9% decline in the prevalence of child marriage compared to 2003.[1]

These figures are higher in the northeast and northwest, where nearly 3 out of 4 girls are married before 18 yo.[2]

Married girls are often pressured into early and repeated pregnancies.[2]

The Nigerian Constitution does not establish a minimum age of marriage. The Child Rights Act, which was passed in 2003, sets the age of marriage at 18 years-old. However, only 23 states of the 36 Nigeria states have begin to taken steps to implement the minimum age of marriage.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Child marriage around the world: NIGERIA", Girls Not Brides
  2. 1 2 "NIGERIA: "IF A GIRL IS 15 YEARS OLD AND SHE IS NOT MARRIED, PEOPLE WILL START COMPLAINING"", Girls Not Brides, April 20, 2016
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