Anambra Commissioner Seeks Solutions for 18-Year-Old Who Impregnated 10 Girls

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, has raised alarm over an 18-year-old apprentice who allegedly impregnated 10 girls within five months, sparking widespread concern and calls for intervention. In a live social media video on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Obinabo detailed the case, which was reported to her office by the boy’s distressed mother. The teenager, sent to learn a trade, impregnated his master’s daughter and a salesgirl within three months, leading to his dismissal. Upon returning to his village, he allegedly impregnated eight more girls within two months.

Obinabo, overwhelmed by the situation, sought public advice, stating, “This matter is beyond my capacity. I want advice from the public.” She questioned whether the boy’s actions might have spiritual or psychological roots, noting his claim that he lured the girls by professing love and promising marriage upon gaining wealth. The boy’s mother expressed fear, saying, “Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house, my heart jumps.” Obinabo withheld the boy’s identity, his village, and his mother’s name for privacy reasons, emphasizing the complexity due to his age and the number of pregnancies.

Proposed Solutions and Advice

Addressing this multifaceted issue requires a comprehensive approach involving legal, social, psychological, and community-based interventions. Here are actionable recommendations:

1. Legal Assessment and Accountability:
   • Age Verification of the Girls: Determine the ages of the impregnated girls to assess potential legal violations. If any are under 16, the age of consent in Nigeria, the boy could face charges for defilement under the Child’s Right Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. Even consensual acts with minors are prosecutable. A legal review is critical to ensure justice and deter similar behavior.
   • Investigation for Coercion: Investigate whether the boy used deception or coercion, as his promises of marriage may constitute manipulative behavior. If evidence of deceit is found, legal consequences could apply under laws addressing sexual exploitation.
2. Psychological and Behavioral Evaluation:
   • Counseling and Rehabilitation: The boy should undergo a psychological evaluation to assess potential compulsive behavior, hypersexuality, or underlying issues like pornography addiction, as suggested by some online commentators. Professional counseling could help address these tendencies and guide him toward responsible behavior. A rehabilitation program, involving social workers and psychologists, should be tailored to his needs, considering his willingness as an adult.
   • Education on Consent and Responsibility: Enroll him in programs teaching sexual health, consent, and the responsibilities of fatherhood to prevent recurrence.
3. Support for the Pregnant Girls:
   • Medical and Psychosocial Care: The Ministry of Women’s Affairs should coordinate with health authorities to provide prenatal care, counseling, and support for the pregnant girls. Many may be young and vulnerable, requiring assistance to continue education or learn trades.
   • Family and Community Support: Engage the girls’ families to ensure they are supported, not stigmatized. Community programs, such as those run by NGOs, can offer vocational training and financial aid to mitigate economic burdens.
4. Community and Parental Involvement:
   • Parental Education: Conduct workshops for parents in the community on monitoring adolescents, discussing sexual health, and fostering open communication. The boy’s mother’s distress highlights the need for parental guidance in addressing such issues early.
   • Community Sensitization: Launch awareness campaigns on teenage pregnancy, consent, and the risks of early sexual activity. Traditional and religious leaders can promote values of responsibility and respect, addressing cultural factors that may enable such behavior.
5. Government and Institutional Action:
   • Form a Task Force: Obinabo should establish a committee of social workers, psychologists, health professionals, and community leaders to manage the case holistically, as suggested by public feedback. This task force can oversee rehabilitation, support for the girls, and community interventions.
   • Strengthen Apprenticeship Oversight: The state government should regulate apprenticeship programs to include mentorship and ethical training, preventing similar incidents. Employers should be encouraged to monitor apprentices’ conduct.
6. Public Engagement and Media:
   • Leverage Social Media Feedback: Obinabo’s call for public advice has generated suggestions like counseling and community support on platforms like X. The ministry should compile these ideas, filtering out unhelpful remarks, and incorporate feasible solutions into its strategy.
   • Avoid Sensationalism: While raising awareness, Obinabo should ensure the narrative remains constructive, avoiding stigmatization of the boy or the girls. Protecting their identities, as she has done, is crucial to prevent harm.

Addressing Obinabo’s Concerns

Obinabo’s query about a “spiritual” cause reflects local cultural beliefs but should be approached cautiously. While spiritual leaders may be consulted for community buy-in, the focus should remain on evidence-based solutions like psychological evaluation and social support. The boy’s explanation of using romantic promises suggests manipulative behavior rather than supernatural influence, pointing to a need for behavioral correction. The case’s scale—10 pregnancies in five months—underscores urgency but also the boy’s adult status, limiting coercive interventions. Voluntary rehabilitation, supported by community and state resources, is the most practical path.

Long-Term Prevention

To prevent similar incidents, Anambra State should:

• Integrate comprehensive sex education into schools, addressing consent, relationships, and consequences of early pregnancy.
• Expand access to youth-friendly health services, including contraception and counseling, to empower girls to make informed choices.
• Strengthen social welfare programs to support vulnerable families, reducing economic pressures that may lead to risky behaviors.

Obinabo’s public appeal has sparked necessary debate, with X posts reflecting shock and varied opinions, from calls for legal action to humorous suggestions of redirecting the boy’s “talent.” Her proactive stance, praised by some users for her work on domestic violence and child welfare, positions her to lead a coordinated response. By forming a multi-stakeholder committee and implementing the above measures, the Ministry can address immediate needs while laying the groundwork for systemic change to protect young people in Anambra