How Early Marriage Robs Sokoto Girls of Education

Like many ambitious young people, Fatima had a dream of attending nursing school, health college, and becoming a medical practitioner. Even if all these fail, she at least wanted to be a fashion designer. 

But her dreams turned into a nightmare when her uncle told her he was ready to arrange her wedding to his son. She was only 17-years-old at the time and still in junior secondary school. Though her aunt was ready to sponsor her education, her uncle overpowered her with the belief that school is just a waste of time and money for female children. 

“Ever since I got married to my uncle’s son, my life has never experienced joy,” Fatima lamented, adding that prayer has become her all-time dose. 

According to UNICEF, four out of ten girls in Nigeria are married early. The national prevalence of child marriage remains high, with 44% of girls married before the age of 18, totaling over 24 million child brides, and ranking Nigeria third globally.

Despite the provision of 2021 Child Protection Law, the challenge persists in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria.  In fact, unlike Fatima, many out-of-school girls embrace early marriage, a choice that adds another layer of complexity to the issue. 

A choice?

Sitting on a mat, wrapped in a long hijab that covers all parts of her body, Raliat Abba, released a bright smile at her residence in Gidan Yumfa, as she narrated her story to this reporter. She never wanted education, hence, early marriage was an escape route. 

She got married immediately after finishing primary school. At the time, her husband had just completed his senior secondary school and was working as a farmer. 

“I have never dreamed of furthering my education because of my home and husband and unborn baby.

On her part, Aisha Muhammad, a teenager who also resides in Gidan Yumfa, said the only thing she enjoyed before her marriage which she has missed so much is her parents. “I was not forced to get married, and my marriage has been a source of nothing but joy to me,” she said.

She willingly stopped herself from going to school to marry because, in her community, there are no age limitations for a female child to marry if the girl is ready to bring home her spouse.

Elder’s perspective 

Mallam Ibrahim, the Chief Imam and Community Elder of Gidan Yumfa, provided insight into the community’s shifting norms regarding education and marriage. He expressed gratitude that more children are now attending school, stating: “Alhamdulillah! Our children are better”.

However, he confirmed that only a few female children are schooling. Their general practice is to marry off “once they see someone that will marry them,” and girls only attend Islamiyya (Islamic school) for a short period. He estimates that only 1% of the girls in his community are going to school.

Mallam Ibrahim specified the typical age for marriage, saying “once a girl is up to 12 years, 13- 15 years and she sees husband, most times we get her married.” He noted that sometimes girls stay single longer due to a lack of suitors.

He also noted that in his community, once a girl is married, the issue of schooling has ended for her.

“Other places may allow their daughters or wives to go to school after marriage but that’s not the same here. Our children don’t even normally go to school before marriage to talk of starting or continuing after marriage. Our cultures are not the same as others. Back then, only male children were schooling in this town but now few of our girls go to school too but they end it in primary or secondary schools. Even the males stop their education at the secondary school level and then go for business.”

Legal expert

Reacting to this challenge, Ahmed Musa, a Kano-based lawyer, explained that Child Rights Laws have had slow and uneven rollout, which accounts for its poor implementation.

To effectively implement the law and improve the welfare of female children, he emphasised that the Sokoto government would have to expand access to quality education which will involve building girl-friendly schools and providing financial incentives. 

He also urged the government to provide girls with skills and opportunities through vocational training and entrepreneurship support. 

“These steps are a promise to the girls of Sokoto that their futures matter,” Musa concluded.