Kogi Govt Vows Crackdown on Child Marriage, Strengthens Girls’ Education Drive

The Kogi State Government has warned against child marriage, reaffirming its commitment to protecting girls’ rights and expanding access to quality education through targeted interventions aimed at keeping adolescent girls in school.

The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, gave the assurance in Lokoja during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration, organised by the Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in collaboration with the State Ministry of Education.

Jones described child marriage as a criminal offence and warned that anyone found culpable would face the consequences provided under applicable laws. He stressed that girls must be allowed to complete their education and develop their potential without harmful practices that could jeopardise their future.

The event, held at GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja, under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” also showcased AGILE interventions, including Conditional Cash Transfers, Safe Spaces, Life Skills Education, school infrastructure development and second-chance learning opportunities for girls who have dropped out of school.