The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the protection and welfare of the girl-child, addressing the educational, health, and safety needs of girls nationwide.
Senator Ireti Kingibe’s motion highlighted the plight of the Nigerian girl child, prompting urgent intervention by the Federal Government. “Girl-child marriage remains prevalent across Nigeria, with the northern zones showing alarming statistics,” she stated.
Citing the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Senator Kingibe noted that over 44 percent of girls are married before age 18, with high percentages in states like Zamfara, Bauchi, and Sokoto.
The Senate urged state governments to domesticate and enforce the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, focusing on eradicating harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation.
A significant number of Senators expressed support for the motion, just two days ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11.
“The future of Nigerian girls is at stake. We must act now to protect their rights, education, health, and safety,” Senator Kingibe emphasized.
