UNICEF Raises Alarm as 39% of Girls in Kano Marry Before Age 18

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 39 per cent of girls in Kano State are married before reaching the age of 18, exceeding Nigeria's national average of 33.4 per cent.

The disclosure was made by the Chief of UNICEF's Kano Field Office, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, during an event marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child and the launch of Nigeria's National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Ending Child Marriage (2025–2030).

The event, held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, was organised by the federal and state ministries responsible for women's affairs in collaboration with UNICEF.

Ur-Rehman, who was represented by Mona Aika, described child marriage as a serious violation of children's rights, noting that the practice deprives girls of educational opportunities, exposes them to protection risks and limits their future prospects.

Citing the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, he said approximately one in three young women nationwide had been married before their 18th birthday, while the prevalence was significantly higher in the North-West and North-East regions.

According to the figures presented, Bauchi State recorded the highest prevalence among the states mentioned at 74 per cent, followed by Jigawa with 72 per cent and Katsina with 69 per cent. Kano State recorded 39 per cent.

"Behind every number is a girl with a voice, potential and dreams," he said, emphasising the need to protect girls' rights and create opportunities for them to fulfil their potential.

The UNICEF official explained that ending child marriage would require tackling poverty, gender inequality, harmful social norms and inadequate access to essential services.

He stressed the importance of keeping girls in school while ensuring that families could access healthcare, social protection and child protection services.

Although he commended the Federal Government for introducing the national strategy, Ur-Rehman warned that its success would depend on adequate funding and effective implementation.

He urged state governments to demonstrate political commitment, allocate domestic resources and strengthen their education, healthcare and child protection systems.

He also called for improved school completion rates for girls and greater participation by young girls in decisions affecting their lives.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Aishatu Abdulkadir, said ending child marriage and violence against children required collective efforts from government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, communities and other stakeholders.

She noted that the Kano State Government had prioritised education through initiatives such as free and compulsory schooling to improve children's access to learning opportunities.

Abdulkadir also urged stakeholders to promote religious and moral principles that uphold children's dignity, health and future.

She added that protecting children from violence and ensuring that girls remain in school were essential to the development of Kano State and the wider North-West region.