Legal Dimensions of Forced Marriage in Northern Nigeria: A Study of Sokoto State

Forced marriage, including the practice of early or child marriage, remains a deeply rooted social institution in parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly in states where customary and Islamic family law intersect with limited enforcement of statutory protections. Sokoto State, in the North West geopolitical zone, records among the highest rates of early marriage in the country. This research examines the legal dimensions of forced marriage in Sokoto State, assessing the adequacy of applicable legal protections under the Child Rights Act, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and Sharia family law provisions. A qualitative methodology was employed, drawing on interviews with women's rights advocates, Sharia court judges, and community health workers in Sokoto metropolis. Secondary data was sourced from UNICEF Nigeria reports, academic literature on child marriage in Northern Nigeria, and judicial records from 2019 to 2024. The findings indicate that Sokoto State has not domesticated the Child Rights Act, leaving young women without effective statutory protection against forced marriage. Existing Sharia family law provisions are interpreted inconsistently, and community social pressures significantly deter affected women from seeking legal remedies. Recommendations include urgent domestication of the Child Rights Act, sensitisation of Sharia court judges on children's rights, and expanded legal aid services for women experiencing forced marriage. This study provides a timely assessment of a critical human rights issue in North West Nigeria. Keywords: forced marriage, child marriage, Sokoto State, Sharia law, child rights.