Simon Kolawole Live!: By Simon Kolawole, Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com
Who is an adult in Nigeria? Section 29 (4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution says that for the purpose of renouncing Nigerian citizenship (not for marriage, as being circulated on the social media), any married woman is considered to be of “full age”. Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima wants the provision retained (he once married a minor). But, as noted in an instructive online article by Egghead Odewale, adulthood is yet to be properly defined in Nigeria. To get a driving licence or register to vote, you have to be 18. The Child’s Rights Act says 18 is adulthood. The Matrimonial Causes Act says 21 is age of maturity. The Immigration Act says 16 is a minor. Something is definitely wrong. I vote for 18.
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