Peer-reviewed article
IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH TO END CHILD MARRIAGE IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FOR STATE ACTION
MAKANJUALA OLAYEMISI OSAGBEMI ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative research study examined why child marriage persists in Kogi State, Nigeria despite existing laws and policies against it. Researchers interviewed stakeholders to understand the sociocultural, institutional and implementation factors driving the practice. The study found that poverty, low education, weak family support, limited reproductive health information, and poor policy enforcement all contribute to child marriage, though communities have started informal efforts to address it. The researchers recommend stronger coordination between government, traditional leaders, schools and civil society organisations to prevent the practice.
Key points
- Poverty, low education levels, weak parental support systems, limited access to adolescent reproductive health information, and restricted economic opportunities are key drivers of child marriage in Kogi State
- Institutional challenges including weak policy enforcement, inadequate funding, poor coordination among stakeholders, and limited community-based child protection systems sustain the practice
- Communities have already undertaken informal actions including local sensitisation, community dialogue sessions, parental guidance initiatives, and informal sanctions against early marriage
- Child marriage persists due to the interaction of socioeconomic deprivation, entrenched cultural norms, and weak implementation of existing policies
- Study recommends stronger multi-sectoral collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, religious bodies, schools and civil society organisations
Limitations
This qualitative study explores factors and barriers but does not evaluate the effectiveness of any specific intervention to prevent child marriage. The findings are specific to Kogi State and may not generalise to other regions of Nigeria or beyond.
Abstract
Research Problem: Child marriage is a pervasive social, cultural and public health challenge in Nigeria, with disproportionate effects on adolescent girls living in rural and economically marginalised communities. Although legal provisions and national policy frameworks exist to eliminate the practice, progress has remained slow due to persistent difficulties in implementation at both state and community levels. This study explored the sociocultural, institutional and implementation-related factors for the elimination of child marriage in Kogi State, Nigeria. Methods/Theory: A qualitative implementation research design was employed, drawing on participatory and community-engaged approaches. Data were gathered through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with a wide range of stakeholders. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques to ensure inclusion of individuals with relevant knowledge and lived experience of child marriage and related interventions. Data collection instruments were pre-tested and administered in both English and local languages. The data were analysed thematically with the support of NVivo software. Results: Findings showed that poverty, low levels of education, weak parental support systems, limited access to adolescent reproductive health information, and restricted economic opportunities were key drivers of child marriage in Kogi State. Institutional challenges such as weak policy enforcement, inadequate funding, poor coordination among stakeholders, and limited community-based child protection systems further sustained the practice. The study also found that communities have already taken several informal actions, including local sensitisation efforts, community dialogue sessions, parental guidance initiatives, and informal sanctions against early marriage. Conclusion: The study concludes that child marriage in Kogi State persists due to the interaction of socioeconomic deprivation, entrenched cultural norms, and weak implementation of existing policies, despite emerging community-driven efforts to address the issue. Contributes to Knowledge: The study contributes to knowledge by unraveling culturally responsive and community-based approaches to addressing child marriage and similar social challenges affecting girls. Recommendation: The study recommends stronger multi-sectoral collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, religious bodies, schools and civil society organisations to improve coordination and effectiveness of prevention programmes.