UNICEF has urged the Nigerian government and development partners to increase investment in girls’ education and protection programmes to eradicate child marriage in Bauchi and Gombe states, following a one‑day stakeholder engagement in Gombe that marked the International Day of the Girl Child.
**What was highlighted at the event?**
- Dr Nuzhat Rafique, chief of the [UNICEF](https://www.unicef.org) Bauchi Field Office, warned that early and child marriage curtails girls’ potential and limits their contribution to society.
- She stressed that universal, quality, inclusive education – including for children with disabilities – is among the most effective ways to protect girls and empower them.
- Ms Ladi Alabi, Child Protection Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office, called for a holistic approach addressing social, cultural, educational and health challenges.
- A quote from Dr Rafique captured the urgency: “If child marriage will not end, the girls will not get the right opportunities to grow to their best potential. And if girls are behind, then the nation will be behind.”
**Why focus on Bauchi and Gombe?**
The two northern states have reported high rates of early marriage, prompting UNICEF to prioritize them for targeted interventions. Protecting the girl‑child requires coordinated action across education, health, nutrition and social protection sectors, as well as collaboration with traditional institutions, civil society, state governments and legislators.
**How can education delay early marriage?**
Keeping girls enrolled in primary and secondary schools not only postpones marriage but also equips them with skills for meaningful employment, enabling them to contribute to community and national development.
**What role do families and community leaders play?**
UNICEF appealed for positive parenting and stronger community engagement, urging parents and traditional leaders to challenge harmful cultural practices and make decisions that safeguard girls’ rights and well‑being.
**What health risks are associated with early marriage?**
Ms Alabi highlighted that early marriage and teenage pregnancy increase the likelihood of obstetric complications, including obstetric fistula and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), underscoring the need for comprehensive health services.
The call to action underscores that ending child marriage and investing in the girl‑child are essential steps toward achieving broader social and economic progress in Nigeria.