Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, will lead a Federal Government delegation to Kano on Tuesday, October 13, to launch the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Ending Child Marriage.
The event will also commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said the gathering would bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, fathers, male advocates, development partners and adolescent girls.
Strategy to Guide Funding and Interventions
According to the ministry, the strategy will provide an operational and budgetary framework for federal and state governments and development partners to coordinate interventions against child marriage.
The Kano programme will include the unveiling of the strategy, empowerment packages for selected vulnerable girls and families, and discussions on education and child protection.
The ministry said the support packages would encourage school retention, assist vulnerable households and recognise parents who prioritise their daughters’ education.
Minister Calls for Men and Boys to Participate
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said lasting progress would require cooperation across families and communities, particularly the involvement of fathers and male guardians.
“Ending child marriage requires a united front where men and boys stand shoulder-to-shoulder with women and girls,” she said.
She identified traditional and religious leaders as important partners in protecting girls, encouraging education and challenging harmful practices.
“No girl should ever be denied her childhood, and together with our male allies across Nigeria, we are building a nation where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered,” the minister added.
An intergenerational dialogue will allow adolescent girls, fathers and community leaders to discuss positive masculinity, changing social norms and practical approaches to safeguarding girls.
The ministry said the session would also recognise male role models who support girls’ education.
Ministry Outlines Child Protection Reforms
The ministry said it had developed, reviewed and validated more than 38 policy instruments, standard operating procedures and specialised frameworks covering women, children, families and other vulnerable groups.
It highlighted the ongoing review of the Child Rights Act 2003 with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the review of the National Child Policy of 2008.
The latter is intended to address emerging concerns, including digital safety and social protection for adolescent girls.
Other measures listed include Nigeria’s first National Strategy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, the review of the Second National Gender Policy and programmes designed to include women and girls with disabilities.
Education and digital participation are also themes in wider youth initiatives, including NITDA’s plans to organise young Nigerians’ contributions into policy proposals and community-led technology development efforts in Kogi.
Household Support and School Retention
The statement identified the Girl Child Development Desk, the “See Something, Say Something, We Do Something” protection campaign and the Future Now Initiative for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education among its programmes.
It also highlighted the Care Economy agenda, which seeks to reduce excessive unpaid domestic responsibilities placed on girls.
The ministry cited the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, supported by a $500 million World Bank expansion, as part of efforts to strengthen household finances and reduce economic pressures that can contribute to early marriage or interrupt schooling.
The importance of financial support for education has also featured in bursary interventions for Kogi students and foundation-led education and youth development programmes.
Call for Action Across States
The ministry urged state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, fathers and youth groups across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to support the campaign.
It said the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development reinforced the need for responsible parenting and stronger family support systems.
Protecting access to education also requires attention to wider barriers, including the security concerns affecting school operations in Kebbi.
Although International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11, the ministry’s national commemoration and strategy launch are scheduled for October 13 in Kano.
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