Reps demand enforcement of 18-year minimum marriage age
The Nigerian House of Representatives has called for the strict enforcement of the Child Rights Act to set the minimum marriage age at 18. Lawmakers emphasized that ending child marriage is essential for improving health, education, and economic outcomes for girls.
Why it matters
This legislative push aims to address systemic human rights issues and protect vulnerable populations from the long-term consequences of early marriage.
As part of renewed efforts to curb child marriage and protect the rights of girls across Nigeria, the House of Representatives on Thursday called for the enforcement of the Child Rights Act, 2003, which sets 18 years as the minimum age for marriage.
The House made the call during plenary after adopting a motion titled, ‘End Child Marriage and Invest in the Girl Child,’ sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara.
The House considered the motion in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on 11 October.
Leading the debate, Ms Ogbara said effective enforcement of the Child Rights Act and its domestication across all states was necessary to ensure that children enjoyed equal protection regardless of where they lived or their socioeconomic circumstances.
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