Former minister Oby Ezekwesili called on governments to strictly enforce 18 years as the minimum marriage age to protect girls and keep them in school.
Former Minister of Education in Nigeria, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, also known as Oby Ezekwesili, has called on both the Federal Government and all 36 state governments across Nigeria to strictly enforce 18 years as the legal minimum age for marriage.
The vocal human rights advocate made this strong demand on Monday, October 12, 2026, while addressing policymakers, education experts, and international partners during a high level conference focused on stopping child marriage and promoting girl-child education across African nations.
Speaking passionately about the dangers facing young female children forced into early marriage, Dr. Ezekwesili warned that allowing underage girls to be married off destroys their future, cuts short their education, and exposes them to severe health dangers.
She noted that although laws protecting children exist on paper, many states and local communities fail to enforce them, allowing young girls who ought to be in classrooms to be given away as brides.
Explaining the financial losses and health problems caused by early marriage across the world, Ezekwesili pointed out that giving away young girls in marriage causes huge financial damage to developing nations.
Highlighting the massive economic impact of child marriage on world trade and health systems, Oby Ezekwesili stated that studies show child marriage could cost the global economy up to $175bn annually and nearly $2.5tn by 2040 through lost productivity and increased health risks.
The former education minister stressed that keeping young girls in secondary school is the most effective weapon against early marriage, noting that educated girls grow up to become healthy mothers, workers, and leaders who contribute positively to their families.
Sharing encouraging data on how basic education helps prevent early marriage among young girls, Ezekwesili noted that progress was possible, pointing to estimates that 68 million child marriages had been averted over the past 25 years.
She added that each additional year of secondary education reduces a girl’s likelihood of marrying before 18 by five percentage points or more.
Urging African leaders to prioritize foundational reading and writing skills for young pupils so they do not drop out of school early, the former minister asked governments to make foundational learning a child-protection priority, ensuring that every girl can read with comprehension by age 10 through proven teaching methods.
She further called on African governments to increase domestic funding for girls’ education as foreign aid declines, while tracking girls’ learning outcomes, transition to secondary school, and child marriage rates.
Ezekwesili emphasized that African leaders must place girl-child education at the center of all major developmental plans, insisting that every young girl deserves an equal opportunity to complete her schooling.
Summarizing her main message to governments, parents, and community leaders in a memorable rallying cry, Oby Ezekwesili stated: “Any girl-child should be a student, not a bride. She should learn, then lead.”
Ezekwesili’s passionate call has received strong support from civil rights groups and child protection advocates across the country.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
