The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu, has been called by a non-profit organization Do-nation to investigate the issues surrounding underage and teenage marriage that has allegedly been prevalent in the Makoko area of the state.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the group’s Lead Coordinator, Shanu Tiwatope, lamented the practice of forcing young people in the Makoko slum into teenage marriages.

In 2021, the Nigerian Federal Government issued a call to action for its citizens to uphold the rights of girls, put an end to child marriage, and combat various types of gender-based violence.

In an effort to outlaw child marriage, the administration also worked to have the Child Rights Act domesticated in each of the 36 federation states.

Tiwatope said, “During our pioneering outreach to Makoko, a slum in Lagos State, my team and I observed with disdain the high rate of young mothers roaming the areas with their children.

“Most of these children and their mothers, who are mostly young persons in their teenage age, appeared malnourished and haggard.

“These are young girls who should either be in school or learning a skill, were already mothers and cohabitating with the men who impregnated them like they were married. It dawned on me that they were living as wives because they had no choice.

“Our research further shows that 85 per cent of them are also being abused physically and emotionally by their partners.”

Tiwatope added, “With this reality, I am appealing to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, to, as a matter of urgency, address this situation for the safety of Lagosians.”