CHILD RIGHTS ACT AND EARLY MARRIAGE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA.

This study explores the implementation of the Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003 and its impact on the persistent practice of early marriage in Northern Nigeria. Despite the CRA’s legal provision that prohibits marriage under the age of 18, early marriage remains widespread in the region, with cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors playing key roles in its persistence. The study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing secondary data and interviews with stakeholders including child rights activists, educators, and community members across Northern Nigeria. Findings indicate that early marriage, especially among girls aged 12 to 17, is often driven by poverty, lack of access to quality education, traditional beliefs, and the perception that marriage ensures a girl’s social and financial security. Girls affected by early marriage often face educational disruption, domestic violence, maternal health risks, and long-term psychological trauma. The research highlights the limitations of the CRA’s enforcement, particularly in rural communities where customary and religious laws often take precedence over federal legislation. It also uncovers the disconnect between national policies and regional realities, demonstrating that merely passing a law is insufficient without corresponding enforcement mechanisms, community education, and infrastructural support. The study recommends a multifaceted strategy to address early marriage, including awareness campaigns, economic empowerment for families, inclusive education policies, and community-based dialogues that involve traditional and religious leaders. By emphasizing the importance of protecting girls’ rights and ensuring their access to education and development opportunities, this research contributes to the broader discourse on child protection, gender equality, and sustainable development in Nigeria. The findings serve as a critical resource for policymakers, civil society, and stakeholders committed to eradicating child marriage and promoting the rights and well-being of the Nigerian girl-child.