Women engineers and education advocates have called on parents and the government to tackle child marriage and ensure girls complete their education, warning that the practice limits their potential and exposes them to health risks.
They made the call at a public lecture and workshop organised by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Abuja Chapter, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the FCT Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The event, held in Abuja on Thursday, had as its theme, ‘End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.’
The National President of APWEN, Engr Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe, who was the chairman of the event, said parents should not force children into marriage, particularly when financial difficulties or debts influence such decisions.
She said girls should be allowed to develop mentally, emotionally and physically before deciding to marry, adding that early marriage could disrupt their childhood and expose them to childbirth complications.
Igwegbe urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to support girls through formal education, vocational training and other opportunities that would help them realise their potential.
She said cultural and religious values should not be used to prevent girls from achieving their ambitions, while encouraging parents to take advantage of government and non-governmental education support programmes.
The guest speaker, Engr Seriki-Johnson Oluwatoyin, an assistant director at the Rural Education Agency, said child marriage interrupts girls’ education and limits their opportunities to become professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.
She called on the government to enforce existing policies and introduce measures to ensure every girl has access to education.
Oluwatoyin also urged authorities to provide free education and scholarships for girls, particularly those from poor households, saying financial hardship often pushes parents to withdraw their daughters from school or give them out in marriage.
She called for measures to hold parents accountable when children are denied education, while urging teachers and community leaders to encourage girls to remain in school.
Engr. Comfort Emenyonu, the Vice Chairman of APWEN Abuja Chapter and Project Director welcomed all guests and dignitaries to the event on the behalf of the Chapter Chairman, Engr. Amina Abdulmalik. She said ‘When we protect a girl’s rights, we protect her future; and when we invest in girls, we invest in a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous society.’
The programme also featured speeches by students from FCT schools on child marriage.