Emir of Kano Attributes Rising Child Marriages to Lack of Educational Institutions in Northern Nigeria

The 16th Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has pointed out that the shortage of educational institutions in Northern Nigeria is significantly contributing to the escalating prevalence of child marriages in that area.

Sanusi II made these statements during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, February 4.

The former governor of the Central Bank stated that while Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every child’s right to education, shortcomings in enforcement coupled with a lack of basic schooling facilities have made this promise largely ineffective.

The Emir added that while discussions often center around the issue of child marriage, the underlying structural issues compelling families to resort to such decisions are frequently overlooked.

"We often discuss child marriage, but if you visit certain regions in the North, you find only a single primary school there," he remarked.

He noted that numerous girls conclude their primary education at an early age without any options for further schooling or skills training.

"For instance, a girl might finish primary school by age 11. What kind of plans do you have for her from age 11 to 18?" Sanusi II inquired.

The absence of secondary schools, skills training centers, and social support systems were identified by him as critical deficiencies in the region.

"There are no secondary schools, no skill acquisition centers, and no provisions for her future," he elaborated.

Sanusi emphasized that in such dire circumstances, economically disadvantaged families often feel compelled to act out of fear rather than cultural norms when marrying off their daughters.

"A poor father often fears that if his daughter is 12 or 13, she might become pregnant before marriage," he clarified.

This anxiety leads parents to marry their daughters off at the earliest opportunity they encounter.

"Typically, the first young man who comes along will get her hand in marriage. Our constitution asserts that all children are entitled to an education; hence taking a child out of school should be viewed as an offense," Sanusi pointed out.

Nonetheless, he questioned how such laws could be effectively enforced when the government itself has not fulfilled its responsibilities.

"In reality, how many individuals have faced arrest for removing a child from school? None, I suspect," he asserted.

Sanusi contended that the lack of enforcement is largely due to the government’s failure to provide adequate schools for children, particularly in rural areas.

"The reason is simple: the government has not established the necessary schools," he asserted.

The Emir insisted that tackling child marriage requires more than moral admonitions or cultural criticisms; it demands investment in education and the establishment of social infrastructures to present young girls with real alternatives.