The Action Aid Nigeria has said most girls in Nigeria were married off at aged 18, putting the figure at 75 per cent.
The body posited that 100 million girls in the country might be at risk of early marriage if such early marriage continues.
Deputy Country Director of the organisation, Mrs Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba said this when the group organised a two-day conference on the “Social Protection of the Girl-Child.”
Charles-Monwuba, who sees education as the only key to curtail early marriage, added that, “girls married off early often failed to maximise their potentials in life, and at risk of threatening diseases due to engagement in domestic activities without much knowledge of.”
She however advocated quality education for the girls’ child ensuring, “Right to education, inclusive, equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“According to UN Population Council of 2013, 75 per cent of girls in Nigeria get married before they attain the age of 18.
“100 million girls under the age of 18 will marry in the next decade if the current trend continues,” she said.
According to her, some of the odds faced by the girl child faced when married off early in life include “the higher risk of physical and emotional violence.
