A planned mass wedding involving approximately 100 orphans, including feared underage girls, has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. The ceremony, scheduled for May 24 in the north-western state of Niger, has raised concerns about child marriage and exploitation.
The orphans, who have lost parents to armed bandit attacks, are being married off with the support of the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, and local religious leaders. However, Nigeria’s Women’s Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has filed a court order to stop the ceremony, citing concerns about the girls’ ages and consent.
Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the girls “deserve better” and that her department is investigating the identities, ages, and consent of the 100 girls involved. She also announced plans to offer the girls education and training, warning that any attempts to block these efforts would result in a “serious legal battle.”
Senior presidential aide Abiodun Essiet reiterated the minister’s stance, urging stakeholders to refrain from policies that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate poverty and ignorance.
Human rights activists have launched a petition to stop the mass wedding, garnering over 10,500 signatures as of Friday evening. International campaign group Girls Not Brides reports that 30% of girls and 1.6% of boys in Nigeria are married before the age of 18, with 12% of girls married before their 15th birthday.
Child marriage is prevalent in northern Nigeria, where religious and cultural norms, such as polygamy, contribute to the practice. It is often seen as a means to reduce financial burdens or strengthen political and social alliances. However, critics argue that it perpetuates poverty, ignorance, and exploitation.
The controversy surrounding the mass wedding has sparked a national debate about child marriage and the need for stronger protections for vulnerable individuals.
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