The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says about 20 million women in Nigeria between the ages of 15 and 49 have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), describing the country as one of the most affected globally.
The Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF, Mona Aika, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during a multi-stakeholder summit on scaling up community protection and enforcement systems against FGM. The event was organised by the Kwara State Government in collaboration with UNICEF and the Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC).
Aika said recent data shows that about 19 to 20 per cent of women in the affected age group in Nigeria have experienced the practice. “Globally, over 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM. In Nigeria, the most recent evidence shows that about 19–20 per cent of women aged 15–49 have undergone FGM, representing nearly 20 million survivors,” she said.
She noted that while some progress has been made in reducing the practice, FGM remains a significant challenge in parts of the country, including Kwara State, where about one in five women is affected.
Aika commended traditional and religious leaders for speaking out against the practice, saying their influence has been critical in changing community attitudes. She stressed that FGM has no religious basis and violates the rights and dignity of women and girls.
“FGM is not a religious requirement; it is a harmful practice that violates the rights, health, and dignity of girls,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of GLOHWOC, Dr Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, described FGM as a form of gender-based violence that has been wrongly normalised in some communities. She said increased awareness and stronger policy actions in Kwara State were beginning to show results in addressing the practice.
Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Imam, said the government remained committed to strengthening enforcement mechanisms while engaging communities in efforts to eliminate FGM.
She said the state had introduced policies and partnerships aimed at tackling gender-based violence but noted that enforcement and community participation remain essential for lasting change.
“The fight against FGM is not a fight against culture; it is a fight against harm. It is about preserving dignity, protecting health and upholding the fundamental human rights of girls and women,” Imam said.
She added that community protection systems would be expanded to ensure wider participation, improved reporting, and sustained efforts to eliminate harmful traditional practices across the state.
