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Summary
The decision to marry off 100 orphaned girls in Zamfara State has sparked outrage, with women’s activists arguing that the focus should be on providing education and opportunities for these girls, rather than pushing them into early marriages.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal Dare, including the wife, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has faced widespread condemnation for facilitating the marriage of 100 orphaned girls in the state.
The initiative has been met with strong condemnation from women’s rights activists who believe that orphaned girls should be given access to education, not married off to old men, emphasising that education is essential for their empowerment and future prospects.
The mass wedding saw each orphaned girl receiving “beautification and care” before the ceremony, with a dowry of ₦151,000 paid for each bride. In addition, household items, such as cushions, beds, wardrobes, mattresses, and kitchen utensils, were provided to help the newlyweds start their married lives. However, the grooms were also given ₦50,000 each to launch small businesses.
This initiative has also sparked a storm of criticism on social media, with users expressing their disapproval of the move.
One user, @TheOcheMaria, posted on X: “How is this even allowed? States like this are known for their high poverty and illiteracy levels, but instead of focusing on improving these areas, they are marrying off girls. What will the ₦50,000 do?”
Another comment from @EnoImoi stated: “Marriage, not education, is their problem in the North.”
@RossiLagus questioned the long-term impact of the initiative: “Why is marriage the only solution to the plight of orphans in the North? Why can’t the state provide them with scholarships to further their education or learn necessary skills? After the ₦50,000 is exhausted, what next?”
This move by the Zamfara State Government echoes a similar initiative in May 2024 in Niger State, which was halted by a court order. The former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, successfully secured the order, and stopped the marriage of 100 orphaned girls.
