A Nigerian woman, Nzubechi Ojukwu, has sparked debate on social media after seeking public opinions on early marriage, revealing that her 16-year-old sister has already received several marriage proposals.

According to Nzubechi, her younger sister, who lives with her in Lagos, is currently an SS2 student and will turn 17 years old this October.

She disclosed that despite the repeated marriage proposals, she has consistently rejected them, a decision that has reportedly caused tension within her family.

Nzubechi said her relatives believe she is preventing her sister from getting married, but insisted that her only goal is to ensure the teenager completes secondary school and reaches at least 20 years of age before considering marriage.

Sharing her concerns on Facebook, she wrote:

“Please, do you support early marriage? My sister that stays with me here in Lagos will clock 17 years this October and suitors have not stopped coming.

“Yesterday my mum called to remind me about the suitor who recently came to ask for her hand in marriage, but I refused and ended the call. At least let her reach 20 years.

“Everyone keeps saying she is very chubby, has grown beyond her age and looks too mature in their eyes.

“They see it as if I am holding her hostage or I want her to keep serving me forever, but that’s not my intention. She will enter SS3 by September.

“Will you support your kid sister to marry at the age of 17 or 18 years?

“Everyone keeps saying some girls are destined to marry early and that if anything stops them from marrying at that age, they will remain single forever. I will just let her go make I rest.”

Her post has since generated mixed reactions online, with many social media users sharing differing opinions on early marriage, education, and the appropriate age for young women to settle down.