On Sunday, 11 October 2026, [Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria)’s First Lady, Senator [Oluremi Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oluremi_Tinubu), used the [International Day of the Girl Child](https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day) to call for an immediate end to [child marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage), insisting that no girl in the country should be denied education, safety, health or the right to shape her own future.
The 2026 global observance, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlighted the practice as a major obstacle to girls’ schooling, health and leadership opportunities. Tinubu stressed that eliminating child marriage is not only a moral duty but also essential for economic growth, noting that thriving girls lead to prosperous families and stronger nations. She said, “Every girl deserves the freedom to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams without discrimination, violence or harmful practices limiting her future.”
**What actions did the First Lady propose?**
She urged families, traditional and community leaders, policymakers and government agencies to protect every girl’s rights, halt child marriages, and invest in her schooling, health care and overall wellbeing.
**Why is child marriage detrimental?**
Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union where one or both parties are below 18 years of age, often curtailing education and exposing girls to health risks. The practice also undermines economic development by limiting the productive potential of half the population.
Tinubu concluded that when girls are empowered, societies benefit, calling on all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures to eradicate child marriage across Nigeria.