The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) has disclosed that 39 per cent of women in Kano State are married earlier than the age of 18, above the nationwide common of 33.4 per cent.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, disclosed this at an occasion to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl-Child and the launch of the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Ending Child Marriage in Nigeria (2025–2030), organised by the Federal and state ministry of ladies Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF held on the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
Ur-Rehman who was represented by Mona Aika, stated baby marriage remained a grave menace to youngsters’s rights, depriving ladies of schooling, exposing them to safety dangers and limiting their future alternatives.
He cited the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which confirmed that roughly one in three younger ladies nationwide and practically one in two within the North-West and North-East have been married earlier than their 18th birthday.
According to him, Bauchi State recorded a prevalence of 74 per cent, Jigawa 72 per cent and Katsina 69 per cent, whereas Kano’s determine stood at 39 per cent.
He stated, “Behind every number is a girl with a voice, potential and dreams.”
According to him, ending baby marriage required addressing poverty, gender inequality, dangerous social norms and insufficient providers, whereas making certain that ladies remained at school and households had entry to healthcare, social safety and baby safety providers.
He counseled the federal authorities for launching the nationwide technique however confused that its success would rely on sufficient funding and implementation.
“A costed plan must become a financed and implemented plan, reflected in state priorities, budgets, strong services and measurable results,” he stated.
Ur-Rehman urged the states represented on the occasion to exhibit political dedication, present home funding and strengthen schooling, healthcare and safety methods to safeguard ladies.
While reaffirming UNICEF’s readiness to work with governments and different companions to finish baby marriage and defend ladies’ rights, he additionally referred to as for elevated faculty completion charges and better participation of women in selections affecting their lives.
Earlier, in her welcome handle, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry Aishatu Abdulkadir, stated ending baby marriage and violence towards youngsters required collective motion.
She stated the state authorities had prioritised schooling by way of initiatives, together with free and obligatory schooling, to make sure that youngsters had entry to studying alternatives.
Abdulkadir additionally urged stakeholders to attract on non secular and ethical rules that emphasise the safety of youngsters’s dignity, well being and future.
She stated defending youngsters from violence and maintaining ladies at school have been important to the event of Kano State and the North-West area.
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