Peer-reviewed article
An Analytical Assessment of Female Genital Mutilation in Contemporary Nigeria
Joseph Sina Owoseni ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This analytical review examines the current status of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, which has the largest absolute number of girls and women affected globally. The prevalence rate of FGM among Nigerian women is reported at 43%, though evidence suggests the rate is declining. Despite efforts by international organizations and women's associations to end the practice, Nigeria lacks government legislation prohibiting FGM. The report emphasizes the need for population-wide education about the risks and harms of FGM.
Key points
- Nigeria has the largest absolute number of women affected by FGM globally, representing approximately one-fourth of the estimated 116 million circumcised women worldwide
- The prevalence rate of FGM among Nigerian women is 43%
- Statistical evidence shows FGM prevalence is declining
- International organizations (UN, WHO, UNICEF, African Union) and women's associations are leading efforts to eliminate FGM
- Nigeria currently has no government law forbidding FGM
Limitations
This is a literature review without primary data collection or empirical analysis, so it cannot provide causal evidence about the drivers of FGM or evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions. The document does not detail which regions of Nigeria are most affected, specific demographic variations, or the outcomes of current elimination efforts.
Abstract
Basically, as a result of her huge population and the most populous African nation, Nigeria has the most noteworthy outright number of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) around the world, representing around one-fourth of the assessed 116132 million circumcised women globally. The aim of this analytical review is mainly to establish the present status of the Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria. Relevant literature pertaining to FGM recovered from internet providers such as Google search, online journals, books, magazines, diaries and libraries. All these were chosen for implicit comprehension of the discourse. In Nigeria, the pervasiveness rate of Female Genital Mutilation among women is 43%. Proof proliferates that; statistically, the pervasiveness of the Female Genital Mutilation is drastically declining. The continuous drive and crusade to extirpate FGM is undertaken by bodies like United Nations, World Health Organization, International Children Emergency Fund, African Union and numerous women associations. Nonetheless, there is never any government law forbidding FGM in Nigeria. There is urgent need to annihilate Female Genital Mutilation Africa and specifically in Nigeria. Persistent education and training of the overall population at every level with accentuation on the risks and nuisance of the Female Genital Mutilation is foremost.