Ending Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

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Ending Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

Date: February 9, 2026 Location: Abuja, Nigeria

As Nigeria joins the global community in marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), renewed calls for action have emerged from civil society, government agencies, and international partners.

With an estimated 20 million survivors, Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by this deeply entrenched practice, which involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Despite federal bans and international commitments, FGM continues to persist in various regions, often justified by cultural, religious, or social norms. Advocates warn that without sustained commitment, stronger legislation, and increased investment, the progress recorded over the years could be reversed.

In Oyo State, stakeholders gathered for a media briefing organized by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH), in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). They emphasized the need for deliberate action to eliminate the practice and protect future generations.

Legal advocacy is also gaining momentum. A new report by Equality Now, supported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw initiative, highlights how courts are becoming a critical frontline in the fight against FGM.

Strategic litigation is being used to strengthen the implementation of laws, close legal gaps, and defend hard-won protections from rollback. While the report draws lessons from global cases, it underscores the importance of legal accountability in Nigeria’s context.

The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Human Rights Commission, has reiterated its commitment to ending FGM.

However, activists argue that enforcement remains weak, and survivors often lack access to justice and support services. They call for community-based interventions, education campaigns, and survivor-centered policies that address both prevention and healing.

Ending FGM in Nigeria is not merely a health or legal issue, it is a human rights imperative.

As the country confronts this challenge, the voices of survivors, advocates, and reformers continue to push for a future where no girl is subjected to this harmful practice.