Young people are in a dependant state, and they deserve the care and protection of adults. One reason why children are classified as "vulnerable", is because they are unable to give informed consent to a sexual relationship with an adult who, because of their seniority and power in the relationship, can require the child to perform duties against their will. In response to this, multiple countries have improved and updated their "Children's Act" law in order to protect vulnerable children from experiencing such traumatic experiences. In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child's Rights Act, to create a legal documentation that protects the rights of children and provides that sex with a child is rape. Although this law was passed at the federal level, it is only effective if state assemblies also start it.
When thinking morally and legally, most individuals have a clear understanding that a sex offender can become a sex offender if they commit a sexual act on a minor/ a person below the age of consent. However, the age a "minor" is considered as and the age of consent vary considerably around the world, although a majority of countries require young people to be over the age of 14 before having sex. Of the countries with lower age of consent laws, Nigeria has the lowest at just 11.
My question is how? How can a country that applies a legal framework to protect the rights of a child, also abuse the rights of a child by making it legally acceptable for adults to sleep with children?
You don't have to be Nigerian to support this petition, you just need to be able to understand what is morally right and wrong. Regardless of who you are or where you're from, this is a big issue that needs to be tackled but without public support this issue will be left unresolved. I plan to use this petition to get in contact with the United Nations and any Nigerian influencer to support me in executing this plan. The age of consent should be changed to a reasonable age and this change starts now. Follow @indulginginchange on Instagram for more updates.
(https://www.ageofconsent.net/world/nigeria)
