By Musa Bashirah Ize
Early or Child marriage remains a serious threat to young girls across Nigeria and the world. Marrying before the right age often steals childhood, education and freedom.
The story of Nollywood actress Regina Daniels and her marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko, reported when she was still very young , amid a wide age gap, provides a lens through which we can view the risks and implications of early marriage.
Regina Daniels entered a high‑profile union with Ned Nwoko in 2019 when she was about 17 years old. The age difference and circumstances sparked public debate. While she had fame, recognition and resources, many girls in similar situations do not. That contrast makes her story especially telling.
Risk 1: Early exit from education and opportunity
When young girls marry early, they often leave school or abandon dreams of higher learning. They become wives before they become adults. Child marriage shuts down learning paths and limits future job options. Even for someone like Regina Daniels, who already had a career, marriage at such a young age meant choosing between growth in personal life and continued self‑development.
Risk 2: Power imbalance and vulnerability
The wide age gap in Regina’s marriage highlights the power difference that can exist in early unions. Young people may feel they cannot speak up or choose for themselves in such situations. Reports around Regina’s marriage include mentions of family conflict, emotional stress, and claims of lack of autonomy. These underline how early marriage can lead to situations where young partners lose their voices and are exposed to control or pressure.
Risk 3: Impact on children and personal wellbeing
A young spouse is likely to face pressure from many directions; family, society, spouse’s expectations. In her recent statements, Regina Daniels revealed she was prepared to raise her children with or without her husband’s support. This showcases how early marriage puts great responsibility on someone still growing themselves. Introducing children into this equation before full emotional readiness adds more complexity.
Risk 4: Perpetuation of gender inequality
Child marriage is often rooted in traditions that see girls as ready for marriage earlier than boys. The public’s reaction to Regina Daniels’ marriage emphasised this: her family initially opposed the marriage because they felt she was too young. Her story mirrors thousands of young girls who face similar pressures, not because they are ready, but because they are pushed.
