Cultural Practices and Child Marriage in Zamfara State: A Sociological Investigation

Child marriage remains a deeply embedded social practice in parts of North West Nigeria, sustained by intersecting cultural norms, religious interpretations, and socioeconomic incentives. This study sociologically investigates the cultural practices that perpetuate child marriage in selected communities in Zamfara State, examining the attitudes, justifications, and social enforcement mechanisms that maintain the practice. A qualitative case study design was adopted, employing focus group discussions with forty-eight community women and in-depth interviews with twelve community leaders, two Islamic scholars, and six local government girls' education coordinators. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis within the framework of Patriarchy Theory. Findings reveal that bride price economics, fear of premarital pregnancy, and the perceived protection offered by early marriage in insecurity-affected communities were the three dominant cultural justifications cited by community members. Girls' consent was recognized as relevant by only 14% of interviewed male participants. Mothers who themselves experienced early marriage were significantly more likely to endorse the practice for daughters, indicating intergenerational transmission. Religious endorsement, while variable, provided institutional legitimacy in communities where clerical authority is high. The most protective factor against early marriage identified was girls' secondary school enrollment, with educated girls facing a fourfold lower risk than out-of-school peers. Recommendations include community dialogue programs engaging religious leaders, acceleration of girls' secondary school completion in Zamfara, and enforcement of the Child Rights Act. Keywords: child marriage, cultural practices, Zamfara State, patriarchy, girls' education.