Nigeria: Students lead the conversation on ending child marriage

On 22 December 2025, an awareness and pledging programme on ending child marriage was held at Bishop Dimeari Grammar School in Nigeria, reaching 400 students from Junior Secondary School 1 through to Senior Secondary School 3, including both day and boarding students. The session was led by Sulton Abdullahi, Psychologist in Training at Mind Lab Clinic, supported by a team of four facilitators.

The sensitisation focused on building students’ understanding of the risks and long-term consequences of child marriage. Discussions explored its impact on education, health, mental wellbeing, and future opportunities, alongside information on legal rights and protections and the importance of pathways to education and empowerment. The session emphasised that children and young people are not passive recipients of change, but key voices in shaping safer futures for themselves and their peers.

Students actively engaged throughout the programme, taking part in group discussions and a question-and-answer session. Many shared observations and experiences of early marriage within their communities, creating an open space for reflection, learning, and mutual support. These exchanges helped deepen understanding and reinforced the importance of speaking out against harmful practices.

The programme concluded with a collective pledging moment, with all 400 students committing to stand against child marriage and to support education, wellbeing, and choice for every child. The participation and engagement reflected a growing awareness among young people and their willingness to play an active role in building a child marriage free future.