A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE DIVERSE LAWS ON MARRIAGEABLE AGE IN NIGERIA: STEPS TO HARMONIZATION THROUGH THE GRUNDNORM

Abstract

Early marriage forces girls into adulthood before they are emotionally and physically matured, leading to a range of harmful effects on their health, education, economic and social development. For many countries, eighteen is the legal age of marriage. Nigeria has undergone fierce constitutional battles to establish a minimum age for marriage. This Research examines the controversies surrounding the legality of child marriage conducted in Nigeria. The Research observes the high prevalence of child marriage amongst the Nigerian communities, among the elites and well-educated in spite of International and domestic legal instruments outlawing child marriage. It also observes that child marriage in these Nigerian communities is predicated mostly on societal beliefs. The Research finds loopholes in the law as the major rift in the conflict of laws of marriage in Nigeria. It suggests a harmonization of laws to strengthen the policy against child marriage. � � � � �

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urn:uuid:6d65eefa-fa98-45c3-baa1-0634ce94bba8