Group leads youth campaign against child marriage

A youth-led advocacy group, FEGI Global, is set to engage secondary school girls in Abuja on the dangers of child marriage and the need to protect girls’ rights.

The group disclosed this in a press release ahead of an outreach scheduled for Friday, October 9, at Government Day Secondary School, Jiwa, Abuja.

About 100 girls aged 13 to 15 are expected to participate in the programme, which will focus on early marriage, girls’ rights, education and the consequences of dropping out of school.

The organisers said six students would lead discussions with their peers on the subject, including the legal and human rights of girls and the impact of child marriage on their education and future opportunities.

Child marriage remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with poverty, social and cultural practices, insecurity and limited access to education among factors associated with the continued practice.

UNICEF has identified Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest numbers of child marriages globally, with millions of girls married before reaching 18. The practice can interrupt girls’ education and increase their exposure to early pregnancy and other risks.

The Child Rights Act prohibits marriage involving anyone below 18, although the law has not been uniformly adopted across all Nigerian states, contributing to differences in legal protection.

The FEGI Global programme will be held to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”

Faith Emmanuel, founder of FEGI Global, said the initiative was intended to give girls a platform to participate directly in discussions about their rights.

“This is not about pity,” Emmanuel said. “This is about power. These girls are not waiting to be saved, they are ready to speak, resist, and lead. Our job is to create the platform.”