THE INFLUENCE OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIRL-CHILD IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Marriage is one of the most ancient institutions known to humanity, with its origin rooted in divine ordinance. According to the biblical account in Genesis 2:18, it was instituted by God, who declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” Thus, marriage was not conceived by man but is seen as a divine initiative. It is traditionally defined as a lawful union between a man and a woman who become husband and wife (Erulkar & Bello, 2007). Early marriage—defined as a marital union involving individuals, especially girls, below the age of 18—remains a prevalent practice across various ethnic and cultural groups globally, including in Nigeria. While some communities consider it a cultural norm, this practice has led to numerous adverse consequences, particularly for young girls and the societies they belong to. Early marriage is widely recognized as a violation of human rights, especially the rights of the girl-child. In Nigeria, particularly in the Northern regions dominated by the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, early marriage remains deeply entrenched in socio-cultural and religious practices. Erulkar and Bello (2007) observed that the rationale behind this tradition often includes the desire to preserve the girl’s virginity, fears surrounding premarital sex, efforts to curb promiscuity, and the reinforcement of religious and cultural norms. However, many communities fail to acknowledge the negative implications of early marriage on the girl-child and broader societal development. Frequently, young girls are not in a position to resist such marriages due to power imbalances and societal expectations. The consequences of early marriage on the girl-child are far-reaching. These include the disruption of her education, lack of economic empowerment, and insufficient knowledge of reproductive health—factors that limit her ability to make informed decisions, access opportunities, and participate meaningfully in community affairs. Commonly cited causes of early marriage include poverty, unintended pregnancy, parental or peer pressure, and the physical and emotional maturity of the girl. These motivations persist despite various international and national legal frameworks that condemn the practice. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through its advocacy, emphasizes children's rights to education, autonomy in marital decisions, empowerment, and healthcare—rights enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many countries, including Nigeria, have domesticated these international conventions by enacting laws that safeguard the rights of children. Nevertheless, enforcement remains a challenge, especially in some Northern Nigerian states where Islamic legal principles are often invoked. These laws tend to downplay the significance of age in marital decisions, thereby undermining legal protections against early marriage. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Marriage is typically regarded as a joyous occasion and a significant milestone in adult life. However, in the context of early marriage, the narrative is often different. This practice deprives children—especially girls—of their right to a full childhood and subjects them to roles and responsibilities for which they are neither emotionally nor physically prepared (UNICEF, 2005). Many young girls have no say in choosing their partners or in the timing of their marriages. In numerous cases, these decisions are imposed by parents or guardians, leaving the girl-child without the capacity to give informed consent. Early marriage disrupts personal growth and development, infringes on reproductive rights, and limits access to education and civic engagement. In Nigeria, despite public sensitization efforts and numerous campaigns through formal and informal educational platforms, the prevalence of early marriage remains alarmingly high. This trend continues to harm young girls and, by extension, the communities they live in. The implications of early marriage are profound and multifaceted, affecting the physical, intellectual, emotional, and psychological well-being of both boys and girls. However, its impact is disproportionately severe for girls, especially in the Northern region of Nigeria, where the practice is most widespread. Girls who marry early are often subjected to psychological distress, school dropout, Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), early widowhood, frustration, and emotional resentment toward their spouses (Bala, 2003). Many of these girls become entirely dependent on their husbands and lose their sense of self-worth and productivity. Furthermore, their limited educational background hinders their ability to engage in public discourse, advocate for themselves, or contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes in their communities. As a result of these conditions, many girls feel marginalized and relegated to second-class status within society. Their voices remain unheard, and their potential unrealized. In view of these issues, this study aims to explore the impact of early marriage on the socio-economic and educational development of the girl-child in Nigeria. 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The broad objective of this study is to examine The Influence of Early Marriage on the Socio-Economic and Educational Development of the Girl-Child in Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks: i. To investigate the perceived causes of early marriage in Northern Nigeria. ii. To determine the impact of early marriage on girl-child’s education development. iii. To ascertain the effect of early marriage on girl-child’s socio-economic development iv. To establish the possible ways to address the challenge of early marriage of girl - child in Nigeria. 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS The research is guided by the following question: i. What are the perceived causes of early marriage in Northern Nigeria? ii. What are the impact of early marriage on girl-child’s education development? iii. What are the effect of early marriage on girl-child’s socio-economic development? iv. What are the possible ways to address the challenge of early marriage of girl - child in Nigeria? 1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES H0: Early marriage does not have an impact on the girl-child's socio-economic and educational development in Nigeria Ha: Early marriage does have an impact on the girl-child's socio-economic and educational development in Nigeria 1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY It is hoped that this study will enable Nigeria parents to give equal opportunities to the training of their children. Instead of giving the girls away in marriage pre-maturally. It is also hoped that the study will enable Nigeria law-makers at all levels of government to enact laws that will make early marriage a punishable offense.It is equally hoped that the result of their study will encourage student to abstain from early marriage or to reduce it to the minimum. Empirically, the study will contribute to the body of knowledge and serve as a reference material to scholars and student who wishes to conduct further studies on related topic. 1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of this study borders on The Influence of Early Marriage on the Socio-Economic and Educational Development of the Girl-Child in Nigeria. The study will further ascertain the causes of early marriage and proffer possible ways to address the challenge of early marriage of girl - child in Nigeria.The study is delimited to selected secondary schools in Minna Local Government Area in Niger State, in Nigeria. 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only to secondary schools in Minna Local Government Area in Niger State, in Nigeria.. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other secondary schools in other States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful. 1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS Marriage: Is the union between a man and a woman to become husband and wife. Early Marriage: Is the union of a boy and a girl and a man to become husband and wife below the age of 18 years. Sexual Harassment: This consists of verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, imposed on the basis of sex, that denies, limits or provides different treatment. Social Environment: As that consisting of people who have the capacity to interact and manifest a degree of vulnerability to the variable under discussion. Forced Marriage: This involve varying degrees of force, coercion or deception, ranging from emotional pressure by family or community members to abduction and imprisonment.