Ex-UN rapporteur seeks law against marriages with 20–25-year age gaps

Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, has called for legal reforms to criminalise marriages involving extreme age gaps where exploitation is evident.

According to SaharaReporters, Ezeilo made the call as Nigeria marked the International Day of the Girl Child.

“Such unions are not partnerships; they are power-imbalanced relationships where consent is compromised by age, vulnerability, economic pressure, and social inequality,” she said.

Ezeilo argued that marriages involving age gaps of 20 to 25 years could expose young women to sexual exploitation, health risks, interrupted education and economic dependence.

She urged Nigeria to recognise such unions as potential trafficking where coercion, manipulation or financial inducement is involved.

“Protect girls from predatory adults who use wealth, influence, or power to secure sexual access under the guise of marriage. Ensure that consent is meaningful, not coerced by poverty, family pressure, or unequal power dynamics,” she said.

Ezeilo added: “Education first. Marriage later.”