Abuja: Ridwan Barade, the Majority Leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, has advocated for the creation of laws to prohibit early marriage in Nigeria. Barade made this appeal during a National Dialogue focused on advancing the rights of girls and young women in Nigeria. This significant dialogue was organized by the African Youth and Adolescent Network on Population and Development (AfriYAN) Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Youth Parliament and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The event commemorated the Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Barade emphasized that early marriage is a significant barrier to education and personal development for the girl child. He insisted that no child should marry before the age of 18, highlighting that early marriage deprives girls of education and the ability to make informed choices about their lives. Barade stated, "A child who is not yet done with education, who doesn't even have full intellectual capacity, should not be in a marital home giving birth. It is wrong. We need to change that narrative if we want to move forward as a country."

Barade also called on the government to enhance access to education, particularly in rural areas, and praised the ongoing student loan initiative. He urged Nigerian youths to be responsible ambassadors of the country and to avoid social vices such as internet fraud, commonly known as 'yahoo yahoo.' He noted, "When we travel abroad and show our green passport, many times we are judged negatively because of a few bad examples. This must change. Youths must lead the way."

During the event, Ms. Adek Bassey, the National Coordinator of AfriYAN Nigeria, stated that the dialogue aimed to hold policymakers accountable and foster collaboration with youth-led organizations across Nigeria. "We had more than 30 youth-led organization leaders and activists in the room. They asked direct questions on budgeting, programming, and youth inclusion in policy formulation," she said. Bassey highlighted the significance of the Ministry of Youth and the full cabinet of the Nigerian Youth Parliament's presence, demonstrating a willingness to engage with youth voices.

Bassey emphasized the need for a sustainable government-led youth development fund that youth-led organizations could access directly, rather than relying solely on international donors. "We have mapped and validated youth-led organizations across Nigeria. We want to see annual calls from the government where we, as responders, can apply to implement impactful programmes. Let us be funded by our own government," she stated. She called for structural changes necessary for meaningful youth development, advocating for stable budget allocations, institutionalized policies, and long-term engagement beyond conversations.

Ms. Nnyen Adomi, another participant, described the event as a timely conversation, offering an opportunity to understand policymakers' actions and how youths could contribute meaningfully. "The Youth Parliament and Ministry of Youth shared ongoing projects and made commitments to collaborate with youth organizations to ensure that our actions are reflected in national policy frameworks," she said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the dialogue served as a platform for youth-led advocacy, engagement with policymakers, and calls for concrete action on issues affecting girls and young women in Nigeria.