The Federal Government has announced scholarship awards up to the university level for 100 female orphans in Niger State, initially slated for a mass wedding as part of a constituency project by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-daji. The announcement was made by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, during the Annual High-level Gender-based Violence Prevention Summit organized by UN Women and the Ford Foundation in Abuja.

The planned mass wedding had sparked public outrage, particularly as the 100 girls, who lost their parents to banditry in Mariga Local Government Area, were to be married off with dowries paid by Sarkin-daji. The Speaker had announced these plans, stating that he had procured all necessary materials and selected the girls from a list of 170 names. The proposal faced backlash, leading to Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye petitioning the Inspector General of Police and seeking a court order to prevent the marriages.

During her speech at the summit, the Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the girls’ welfare, education, and future prospects. She announced that the government would provide scholarships and grants to economically empower the girls, ensuring they are not forced into premature or unvetted marriages. She stressed the need for thorough checks on age, health (including genotype testing), and the financial stability of potential spouses to protect the girls from being thrust into further hardship.

The Minister also addressed the need for broader community support, revealing plans to enhance local infrastructure and provide resources such as boreholes, POS machines for economic activities, and food supplies. She underscored the government’s commitment to lifting the community out of poverty and creating opportunities for the girls beyond marriage.

In response to the controversy, traditional and religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, highlighted the importance of dialogue and careful consideration of cultural and religious sensitivities. They called for collaborative efforts to address gender-based violence and protect vulnerable groups, ensuring justice and support for all affected individuals.