First Lady calls for end to child marriage, urges investment in girls’ rights

First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu has called on families, community leaders and policymakers to intensify efforts to end child marriage and invest in girls’ education, healthcare and general well-being.

She said every girl deserved the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue her dreams without discrimination, violence or harmful practices that could limit her future.

The First Lady made the call in a message to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on Sunday, October 11, under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”

Mrs Tinubu, in the message, urged stakeholders to take collective responsibility for protecting girls’ rights and creating an environment where they could realise their full potential.

“I encourage families, communities, leaders, and policymakers to protect the rights of every girl, end child marriage, and invest in her education, health, and general well-being,” she said.

She noted that empowering girls would have far-reaching benefits beyond the individual, stressing that their well-being was closely linked to the development of families, communities and the nation.

“When girls thrive, families prosper, communities grow stronger and nations advance,” the First Lady said.

Mrs Tinubu also celebrated the voices, strength, potential and leadership of girls worldwide, emphasising the need to protect their opportunities and ensure that harmful practices did not stand in the way of their aspirations.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to draw attention to the rights, challenges and opportunities of girls and to promote action towards achieving gender equality and protecting them from harmful practices, including child marriage.

The 2026 theme places particular emphasis on ending child marriage and investing in the rights and well-being of girls as essential steps towards building stronger and more inclusive societies.