Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 17, Issue 01 | September 30, 2020

Policy Memo: ​Ending Child Marriage in Nigeria: The Maternal and Child Health Country-Wide Policy

Hawa Iye Obaje, Chinelo Grace Okengwu, Aimable Uwimana, Henry Kanoro Sebineza, Chinonso Emmanuel Okorie

University of Global Health Equity, Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health, Butaro, Burera, Rwanda
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https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG170116
Keywords: child marriage; girls; early marriage; SDG 3; global health; equity; Nigeria
Executive Summary: Reduction in child marriage is highly correlated with a decline in maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Nigeria has taken a step to reduce child marriage through the Child Rights Act; however, 11 states in the Northeast and Northwest are yet to implement these laws despite the documented benefits. Estimates predict that a 70% reduction of maternal deaths can be achieved by a 10% reduction in child marriage. Additionally, the $7.6 billion lost in earning and productivity of human capital from child marriage annually can be averted. A reduction in child marriage can also decrease violence against girls and improve educational level attainment. We propose that the Nigerian government should enact the Maternal and Child Health Country-wide Policy to give a national security treatment to maternal and child health matters. It will ensure that policies passed at the federal level with the potential to reduce maternal and child mortality can be automatically adopted nationwide.

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Hawa I. Obaje holds an MSc in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity. Hawa has experience in the field of research, sexual and reproductive health in Nigeria and Rwanda. She is passionate about advancing the health and rights of vulnerable populations.
 
Chinelo G. Okengwu is a medical doctor with a wealth of experience in Child Health and is passionate about improving health care delivery among vulnerable populations, especially for disadvantaged children. She recently graduated from the University of Global Health Equity with a master’s degree in Global Health Delivery.
 
Aimable Uwimana holds an MSc in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity and a BA in Healthcare Management at Southern New Hampshire University. Aimable has experience in the field of research and non-communicable diseases education in Rwanda. He is passionate about addressing the social determinants of health, especially among vulnerable communities.
 
Henry K. Sebineza is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is passionate about equity and social justice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management with a concentration in Global Perspectives from Southern New Hampshire University through Kepler University Program and an MSc in Global Health Delivery from the University of Global Health Equity.
 
Chinonso E. Okorie is a Nigerian humanitarian medical doctor and holds a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery graduate from the University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda. He writes from his passion for serving marginalized, poor, and vulnerable population groups with social justice.
 
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our professor and lecturers Dr. Zahirah McNatt, Enock Ruwanuza and Chisom Nwaneri for teaching us the Health Policy and Political Economy Course, their unwavering support and guidance throughout this process. Also, to our lawyer friends Nuradeen Abdulmumim Esq, Darlington Friday Okeoga Esq, and Mumuni Damilola Esq, we appreciate your critical review efforts.
 
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