Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has attributed the persistence of child marriage in parts of northern Nigeria to systemic government failures in education and social infrastructure. Sanusi’s comments came during an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” on Wednesday where he discussed the structural drivers of early marriage in the region.
Sanusi emphasised that public discourse around child marriage often focuses narrowly on cultural practices or moral condemnation, while overlooking the critical lack of opportunities for girls after primary school. “There’s a primary school and that’s it,” he said, pointing out that in many rural areas, girls who complete basic education — typically around age 11 — have no accessible secondary schools, skills centres or viable pathways for further learning or economic empowerment.
According to the emir, this educational void drives families — particularly those facing economic hardship — to see early marriage as a perceived necessity rather than a cultural preference. He explained that when there are no schools, no safe pathways for girls to continue education, and limited opportunities for social or economic advancement, poor families often resort to marrying off their daughters as a perceived way to protect them or reduce financial burdens. “Between 11 and 18, what arrangements have you made for her?” Sanusi asked, stressing that the absence of post-primary education options often leaves families with few alternatives.
Sanusi also criticised the tendency to simplify the issue as purely cultural. He argued that infrastructure deficits, unsafe roads, distant or non-existent schools and weak local government services compound the problem, particularly in rural communities where access to education and basic services remains limited. “It’s easy to blame culture. It’s easy to blame a victim. But the government has not provided the schools,” he said.
His remarks reflect broader concerns raised by activists and development organisations about the link between education access and early marriage across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Research from United Nations agencies and child rights advocates has repeatedly shown that girls who remain in school are significantly less likely to marry early and more likely to enjoy greater economic and social opportunities later in life. Limited access to quality education — especially in northern states where insecurity and poverty intersect — has long been cited as a key factor driving early marriages.
Sanusi’s critique also echoes his longstanding advocacy for girl-child education as a development priority. Over the years, he has consistently called for investments in schools, transportation, and social support systems that enable girls to complete their education and participate meaningfully in economic life. His position, articulated through both traditional leadership platforms and public statements, underscores the argument that addressing child marriage requires structural interventions that go beyond legislation to include tangible improvements in educational access and economic opportunity.
Child marriage remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region, where poverty, limited schooling opportunities and traditional norms intersect to produce some of the highest rates of underage marriage in the country. Sanusi’s intervention on a national television programme brings renewed attention to the need for policy solutions that prioritise education and broader social support as part of efforts to protect girls and expand their life chances.
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