by BudgIT

Lots of Nigerians have taken up issues with the senate’s constitutional amendment voting session last week and have launched a campaign against under-age marriage in the country.

Last week, 35 senators led by Ahmed Yerima had caused an amendment which would have struck out a problematic clause in the constitution to be defeated. The amendment sought to delete a constitutional provision which states that “Any married person is of full age.” The constitutional amendment committee wanted to state explicitly that full age is from 18 years, but Yerima and the 34 other senators were of the view that full age must be conferred on any married woman no matter her age. Yerima is currently married to a 17 year old.

BudgIT has produced this infographic which features some relevant information about under-age marriage, its prevalence and some of its deleterious effects.