A 16-year-old girl in Borno State has explained why she agreed to marry after dropping out of school due to family hardship and relocation.
The teenager, whose identity was withheld, spoke during a media dialogue organised by the PAGED Initiative in Maiduguri.
16-Year-Old Borno Girl Chose Marriage After Leaving School
The 16-year-old Borno girl chose marriage after she was reportedly given two options by her parents following financial difficulties in the family.
According to her, she dropped out of school after completing Junior Secondary School examinations because her father lost his workshop during a government demolition exercise.
She explained that the family later relocated within Maiduguri after the demolition affected their source of income.
Family Hardship Affected Education
The teenager said her father worked as a mechanic before his shop near the Borno Expressway area was demolished during the construction of a flyover.
The 16-year-old Borno girl chose marriage after months of economic hardship reportedly made it difficult for her family to continue sponsoring her education.
She stated that she was not physically forced into marriage but believed staying at home without education offered little opportunity for progress.
Husband Promised to Return Her to School
The girl said part of the marriage agreement included a promise that she would continue her education after marriage.
However, she disclosed that six months into the marriage, she has yet to return to school due to financial constraints.
The 16-year-old Borno girl chose marriage but maintained that she still hopes to continue her studies and become a medical doctor in the future.
PAGED Initiative Calls for Stronger Education Laws
Programme Director of the PAGED Initiative, Umi Bukar, said similar situations remain common in parts of Northern Nigeria.
She called for stronger laws that would ensure children complete secondary school education before marriage.
According to her, many families cite school fees and transportation costs as reasons for withdrawing children from school.
Advocacy for Girls’ Education Continues
The PAGED Initiative also urged the government to improve access to schools in rural communities.
The organisation argued that expanding compulsory education beyond Junior Secondary School could help reduce school dropouts and early marriages.
The 16-year-old Borno girl chose marriage amid economic hardship, a situation advocates say highlights the need for stronger support systems for education and child protection.
