AN EXAMINATION OF NIGERIAN LEGISLATIONS PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF A CHILD AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE IN NIGERIA: THE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES

Abstract

Child marriage remains a challenge to the protection of human rights, especially the rights of the girl child. This challenge is not limited to Nigeria as child marriage remains prevalent in other nations globally. The aim of this article, therefore, limited to the examination of Nigerian legislations protecting against child marriage. It unraveled the influences of cultural and religious factors sustaining child marriage in Nigeria. The article adopted the doctrinal research methodology which deals with the use of text books, journal articles in reputable journals, and internet sourced materials. The authors are of the position that cultural and religious factors have great influence in the existence of child marriage in Nigeria. The article observed that child marriage is a practice deeply rooted in cultural norms, economic pressures, and gender inequalities, posing significant challenges to the realisation of children’s rights. It recommended that Nigeria must harmonise its legal framework to be of international standards on child rights protection in order to eliminate child marriage in Nigeria.