ActionAid Nigeria Calls For Greater Investments In Nigerian Girl Child
By Ferdinand Olise
The ActionAid Nigeria hss called for urgent and sustained action towards protecting the rights of girls in Nigeria and to create conducive environment for every girl to learn, thrive, lead and determine her own future.
The Organisation in a statement made the call in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl under the theme, “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights,”
According to the statement issued in Abuja by the Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, the theme is a timely reminder that child marriage is not simply a cultural practice or a family matter, but a violation of girls’ rights that can take away their childhood, interrupt their education, limit their economic opportunities and expose them to violence and early pregnancy.
“Globally, more than 12 million girls are married before adulthood every year. The United Nations notes that child marriage remains one of the most widespread violations of girls’ rights, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
“In Nigeria, the situation remains deeply concerning. Recent analysis of the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey found that 33.4 per cent of young women aged 20–24 were married before age 18, with prevalence approaching 50 per cent in the Northeast and Northwest. UNICEF estimates that more than 3.7 million women aged 20–24 were married before turning 18.
He further stated that Child marriage is closely linked to poverty and limited access to education, noting that, evidence shows that girls from poorer households and those with lower levels of education are significantly more likely to experience early marriage.
“UNICEF’s recent analysis finds that if every girl in Northern Nigeria completed secondary school, child marriage could fall by up to two-thirds, while adolescent pregnancy would decline and economic productivity would increase.
“For girls in communities where early marriage is still accepted as the expected path to adulthood, these realities are not abstract. They are lived experiences.
“Aisha Aliyu, one of the girls reached through ActionAid Nigeria’s Girl-led Research and Action Project, was 16 when her family began preparing for her marriage to her cousin. After participating in the project and learning about girls’ rights, education and the risks associated with early marriage, Aisha found the confidence to speak to her parents about her desire to continue her education. Her parents eventually called off the marriage, and Aisha returned to school, where she now hopes to become a businesswoman and mentor other girls in her community.
“Aisha’s story shows how access to information, safe spaces and opportunities for girls to speak and participate can help challenge practices that limit their futures. Through the Girl-led Research and Action initiative, ActionAid Nigeria supports girls to investigate issues affecting their lives, generate knowledge, tell their own stories and use evidence to advocate for change.
“ActionAid Nigeria believes that girls are not merely beneficiaries of development; they are rights-holders, leaders and agents of change. Through our work with women’s rights organisations, girls and communities, including in our Local Rights Programme (LRP) communities.
He said they work to address barriers affecting girls’ rights, including harmful gender norms, violence, access to education and exclusion from decision-making.
He added that through the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Nigeria Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, they support locally led action to advance gender equality and strengthen women’s and girls’ leadership.
