#ChildNotBride: Nigerians Get Real on Twitter

Ify Halim

9 years ago

The recent marriage between the Emir of Kano and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his new bride has sparked heated discussions across cyberspace. The young age of his new and fourth wife – eighteen years – is being called out as inappropriate by many concerned Nigerians. The result is the re-emergence of the Child Not Bride campaign which was made popular in response to Sen. Yerima’s marriage to a thirteen-year old in 2010. On one side of the argument, Sanusi’s new wife is a legal adult and technically cannot be considered a child at her age. However, there is the consideration of how consenting she was when her hand was asked in marriage. Many point out her need to be in school at this time in her life, and Sanusi’s abuse of power in choosing her as a bride. Hence, the series of tweet-arguments that have ensued on Twitter:

These ppl r d role models of the North. How will #ChildNotBride work there with examples like this?
— afrispheric | 5% 9ja (@afrispheric) September 26, 2015

The #ChildNotBride trend only goes on to prove the delapidated nature of our educational system. Many people can not define who an adult is.
— #YourFavOnlineDoctor (@DrOlufunmilayo) September 27, 2015

How many of us will b comfortable with our 18yr old daughters talking marriage when u can still sponsor her to college?#ChildNotBride
— pin:2AFACE33 (@LordOluRichard) September 27, 2015

#ChildNotBride can trend for as long as it likes yeah, but Sanusi Lamido has not flouted the constitution nor his religious beliefs.
— Dipo Awojide, PhD (@OgbeniDipo) September 27, 2015

An 18yr old can drive, obtain drivers license,drink,smoke, Go 2 Jail; so what is Childish is she decides 2 go in2 marriage #ChildNotBride
— Obani Abraham (@ObaniAbraham) September 26, 2015

An 18 year old girl is not a Child tho “@eggheader: Dear Emir Sanusi, #ChildNotBride please. @SanusiLamidoS“
— Don B (@bishopmarn) September 26, 2015

The North needs daughters who’ll defy authority and speak their mind . #ChildNotBride is their fight
— Whiskerz (@Jullymorgz) September 26, 2015

What do you think? Join the conversation.