Ezeilo Urges Nigeria To Criminalise Marriages With 20–25-Year Age Gaps
A former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN), has called on the Nigerian government to introduce laws criminalising marriages involving extreme age differences of 20 to 25 years where exploitation is evident, even when the girl is above 18.
Ezeilo made the call as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, warning that some marriages involving young women and significantly older men could conceal sexual exploitation and unequal power relationships.
In a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday, the human rights advocate argued that such unions could undermine meaningful consent because of differences in age, financial status, vulnerability and social power.
She warned that girls in such marriages risk sexual exploitation, reproductive health complications, disruption of their education, psychological trauma and long-term economic dependence.
Recalling her experience in Egypt as a former UN Special Rapporteur, Ezeilo said the country had introduced legal measures to address marriages with extreme age disparities that were allegedly being used to conceal sexual exploitation.
She urged Nigeria to adopt similar protective measures to prevent marriage from becoming a cover for exploitative practices.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also referred to a recent controversy involving a former senator and an 18-year-old girl, arguing that the significant age difference raised concerns about unequal bargaining power and possible exploitation.
According to her, the fact that a girl has attained the legal age of adulthood does not automatically eliminate concerns about manipulation, financial inducement or other forms of exploitation.
Ezeilo proposed that lawmakers consider legislation addressing marriages involving extreme age gaps where evidence of exploitation, coercion or manipulation exists.
She further called for such unions to be recognised as potential cases of trafficking or exploitation where the necessary elements are established.
The human rights advocate stressed that the objective was not to interfere arbitrarily in personal relationships but to protect vulnerable girls from adults who might exploit their financial difficulties, family pressures or social circumstances.
As part of her recommendations, Ezeilo urged the government to prioritise girls’ education, insisting that access to quality education remains essential to preventing early and exploitative marriages.
She noted that educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, improve their economic prospects, enjoy better health outcomes and contribute meaningfully to society.
Ezeilo maintained that every girl deserves access to safe schools, quality education, protection from violence and opportunities to fulfil her potential.
Her message for the International Day of the Girl Child was clear: “Education first. Marriage later.”
