Nigeria ranks third worldwide in female genital mutilation

June 6, 2026

Nigeria Flag

...Stakeholders intensify campaign against practice

Nigeria has been ranked third globally, after Egypt and Ethiopia, among countries where female genital mutilation (FGM) is still widely practised. Statistics also indicate that Ekiti and Osun states record some of the highest prevalence rates of the harmful practice in the South-West region of the country.

According to stakeholders, previous statistics showed that Osun, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo and Oyo states recorded female genital mutilation prevalence rates of 77 per cent, 74 per cent, 72 per cent, 68 per cent and 66 per cent respectively. However, recent data indicate that Ekiti and Osun states now rank first and second respectively among states with the highest prevalence of the practice.