In a bold and heartfelt advocacy visit, the National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage in Nigeria (CSO-ECM) met with the Gender Technical Unit (GTU) at the National Assembly to strengthen partnerships and drive legislative reforms that protect the rights and futures of Nigerian girls.
Led by passionate feminist advocates and civil society leaders, the meeting was not just a presentation of findings but a declaration of commitment to collaborative action. The Coalition shared its Policy and Stakeholder Research and Analysis on Child Marriage in Nigeria, alongside a policy brief and an abridged version of the report with a QR code for easy access. These documents capture the systemic drivers of child marriage across Nigeria’s regions and provide practical, data-driven recommendations for change.
“We’re not here to reinvent what the GTU is doing. We are here to align, collaborate, and move together as one collective force,” said one of the lead representatives.
✊🏾 A Coalition Rooted in Feminist Leadership
The Coalition, comprising over 25 member organizations and active across 22 states, emphasized the importance of feminist leadership, inclusivity, and shared ownership of the advocacy journey. They highlighted influential women and mentors like Dr. Abiola of WOTCLEF, Madam Samira Galadima of the Adda Foundation, and others who have inspired the movement for gender justice and child protection.
“Child marriage is not just a harmful practice; it’s a form of gender-based violence that has denied too many girls their childhood, their voice, and their future.”
🧭 Beyond Rhetoric: A Call for Legislative Reforms
The delegation did not shy away from difficult truths. They called attention to constitutional loopholes—especially Section 29(4)(b), which indirectly validates child marriage by recognizing a married girl as an adult regardless of her age.
They called on the National Assembly to:
- Review and amend harmful provisions in the Constitution
- Establish a clear, national legal age of marriage at 18
- Push for uniformity across subnational laws to prevent exploitation
“We’re not here to exist forever. We want child marriage to end. And when it does, we’ll evolve into the Coalition for Girls’ Empowerment.”
🤝 Building on GTU’s Legacy
Rather than operating in silos, the Coalition made it clear they want to leverage the expertise, structure, and institutional memory of the GTU to deepen legislative impact. With a long history of working quietly and effectively within the National Assembly, the GTU has proven to be a reliable ally for civil society and gender-focused reform.
The Coalition expressed its desire to
- Formally partner with the GTU
- Collaborate on legislative advocacy, policy review, and strategic communications
- Amplify GTU’s efforts using their robust online platforms and social reach
💡 Forward Together
With limited funding but strong resolve, the Coalition is developing its 2025–2026 Growth Plan. Discussions included the possibility of contributing financially, no matter how modest, to support joint advocacy activities with GTU.
“We don’t want to be outside knocking on closed doors. We want to walk with you through the doors you’ve already opened,” one representative emphasized.
The meeting ended with mutual appreciation and a shared understanding: ending child marriage in Nigeria is not just a civil society fight—it’s a national duty. With the GTU’s technical guidance, legislative access, and the coalition’s grassroots strength and community reach, a powerful alliance is forming—one that can truly drive the change Nigerian girls have been waiting for.
📌 To learn more about the coalition’s work, policy documents, or upcoming engagements, visit [insert website].
📸 Photos from the advocacy visit will be shared on our social platforms. #EndChildMarriageNG #GenderTechnicalUnit #PolicyAdvocacy #ChildRights #LegislativeReform #GirlsNotBrides #CYPF #CoalitionForChange
