March 2025

Despite years of awareness campaigns and community dialogues, the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to linger in some parts of Igbo land, raising concerns among rights advocates, medical experts, and government stakeholders.
While some communities in the South-East of Nigeria have officially abolished the act, new reports indicate that the practice still exists underground, especially in remote villages where cultural beliefs remain rigid.

In Umudionu Umuchieze autonomous community located in Ahaizu Mbaise local government in Imo state, health officials recently uncovered a case of a female child who was circumcised by a local birth attendant. According to the state’s Ministry of Health, the victim was rushed to a nearby clinic following excessive bleeding. Dr. Ifeoma Ezebuiro, a pediatrician working in the region, lamented that such practices are still being carried out secretly.
What we’re seeing is a silent resistance. Some families still believe it is a rite of passage for girls. Education is our biggest weapon,” she said during a medical outreach organized by the Save the Girl Child initiative

Government Moves to Criminalize FGM Further
In Abia State, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Chidinma Mba, revealed that the state is working on a new bill that would strengthen the existing Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act to include harsher penalties for those found guilty of promoting or performing FGM.
“We are no longer talking about sensitization alone; we are now taking legal steps to ensure enforcement. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth groups are all being mobilized,” she said during a press briefing in Umuahia.

Youth Taking the Lead
Interestingly, young people across many Igbo-speaking communities are taking the fight into their own hands. In Nsukka, Enugu State, a group known as Young Voices Against FGM held a social media campaign in February tagged #EndTheCutNow, which trended for three days on X (formerly Twitter).
Their coordinator, Chigozie Umeh, said the youth must continue pushing the message.

“Most of our mothers and grandmothers were misinformed. We are trying to end the cycle by using modern platforms to educate, shame the practice, and protect the next generation” he explained.

Faith-Based Organizations Join the Fight
The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) in Imo State also hosted an anti-FGM conference in Orlu, with the theme “Protect Her Future, Say No to FGM.” Speaking at the event, Reverend Sister Margaret Oparaocha condemned the traditional justification for the practice.
“FGM does not curb promiscuity. It rather destroys a woman’s ability to enjoy full reproductive and mental health,” she said.

Hope From Success Stories
In Nnewi South, a collaborative effort between the town union, women’s council, and health officials has reportedly eradicated FGM completely. According to Chief Edwin Obidike, the President-General of Ebenator community:
“We passed a by-law in 2022, and since then, there have been no recorded cases. Every child born is safe now. We even include anti-FGM pledges during our child-naming ceremonies.”

Call for Continued Support
While progress is being made in parts of the South-East, advocates warn that backsliding is possible if efforts are not sustained. International organisations like UNFPA and the Girl Child Trust Foundation have continued to support local NGOs with training and materials to maintain the momentum. According to Mrs. Ngozi Onwudinjo of the Women’s Rights Action Network, the challenge lies in reaching the hidden corners of rural areas.

“You can’t stop FGM from an office in the capital. You must go to the village, sit with the elders, speak the language and build trust. that’s the only way to end this.

Conclusion

While the road to completely eradicating FGM in Igbo land is still long, the combination of legislation, education, youth involvement, and grassroots mobilisation is showing signs of positive change. With continued effort, more communities are expected to join the growing list of areas where the practice has been eliminated.

Summary: What Can Be Confirmed vs. What Remains Unverified

Reported Event in Your Text
Status

Case in Umudionu Umuchieze Automonous Community, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA Imo state Not found in searches

Abia State preparing new bill to strengthen VAPP law
No direct source, but VAPP law is in force in Abia as of 2020

Youth-led #EndTheCutNow campaign in Nsukka
No reference found
CWO conference in Orlu (Imo State)
Not located

Success in Nnewi South eliminating FM entirely

Not found

Recommendation
If you were recounting local reports or internal documents, they may not be captured in widely indexed media or may have appeared in local-language outlets-not easily searchable.
To substantiate these specific cases, l’d recommend:

  • Checking regional news portals (e.g., The Sun Nigeria, Punch, Daily Post, Tribune, etc.).
  • Looking into local government or civil-society press releases from Anambra, Abia, Enugu, imo states.
  • Reaching out to NGOs like UNFPA, UNICEF, or Circuit Pointe for program reports.

References

  • Wider Igbo-land advocacy: A Vanguard article from February 2024 highlights that Igbo communities are mobilizing against FGM, describing it as “a harmful practice in Igbo land that has refused to go despite aggressive campaign against it” VANGUARD
  • Community engagement and law: UN-supported NGO Circuit Pointe is active in Imo and Ebonyi states, working with traditional leaders and birth attendants to end FM through education and alternative livelihood training UNTF.UNWOMEN.ORG
  • Legal framework in Nigeria: Nigeria’s
Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP)
Act 2015 criminalizes FGM, and as of 2022
Abia State had domesticated and assented to the law (domestication passed Dec 2019; assent Oct 2020) WIKIPEDIA THE CABLE
  • National prevalence and trends: Nigeria has one of the highest absolute numbers of women and girls subjected to FGM. Although prevalence among women aged 15-49 had declined, FM among girls aged 0-14 has reportedly been rising as of 2022 WIKIPEDIA
  • Nationwide advocacy efforts: UNFPA and UNICEF reaffirmed their commitment to ending FGM in Nigeria on the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance, urging policy change, awareness-raising, and survivor-led programs UNICEF. Meanwhile, in early 2025, advocates from yo State reiterated that FM remains a human rights violation affecting over 230 million women and girls globally, urging enforcement of existing laws GAZETTE NIGERIA