Save the Children International (SCI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has said child marriage is still prevalent in North-West and North-East of Nigeria.
SCI Media and Communications Manager, Mr Kunle Olawoyi, make the disclosure this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.
The statement was issued after the launch of the organisation’s report on ”State of the Nigerian Girl Report – An Incisive Diagnosis of Child Marriage” in Abuja.
According to the report, 78 per cent of girls in the northern region of Nigeria marry before the age of 18.
“Child marriage is more prevalent in the North-West and North-East of Nigeria, where 48 per cent of girls were married by age 15 and 78 per cent were married by age 18.
“Forty-four per cent of girls are married before their 18th birthday and the country records as one of the highest rates of child marriage globally.
“A staggering 78 per cent of girls in the northern region of Nigeria are married before the age of 18.
It said the report explained the current and prevailing socio-cultural norms and practices in Nigeria around child marriage to capture the approximate state of the Nigerian girls. (Sun)