Nigerian social critic and political analyst Abdulaziz Dewat has sparked a conversation on child marriage by sharing a video of a man who allegedly married a minor in one of the northern states of Nigeria. The graduate of Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Strathclyde stated that his intention is to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage, promote healthy child development, and discourage pedophilia within communities.
Call for Reason Over Desire
In a pointed message accompanying the video, Dewat wrote, "Dear Pedoo, your desire should not override your reasoning and humanity. At this stage she needs pen not peniz." He emphasized that the video is used solely for educational purposes, aiming to highlight the perils of such practices and advocate for the well-being of children.
Raising Awareness on Social Media
The video was shared via Instagram by Lindaikejiblog, a popular Nigerian blog, with a post dated June 30, 2026. Dewat's remarks have drawn attention to the ongoing issue of child marriage in parts of northern Nigeria, where cultural and economic factors often contribute to the practice. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, with 43% of girls married before age 18.
Dewat's call to action urges communities to prioritize the education and protection of children over harmful traditions. "The purpose of using these videos is to create awareness about the danger of such practices and encourage child development and discourage pedophilia in their communities," he reiterated, stressing the need for collective responsibility.
