Oyo Leaders Intensify Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation, Highlighting Its Devastating Consequences

The campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Oyo State gained renewed urgency as key government officials, health experts, legal authorities, and community representatives spoke with one voice against what they described as a dangerous and dehumanising practice.

At the centre of the renewed call to action was Tamunominini Makinde, who reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the complete eradication of FGM before 2030.

Speaking at the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in Ibadan, she described FGM as not only inhumane but a direct assault on the dignity, health, and future of the girl-child.

According to her, FGM exposes girls to severe physical pain, lifelong medical complications, and deep psychological trauma. She stressed that the practice strips young girls of their bodily autonomy and violates their fundamental human rights.

Representing her at the event, Ajibike Lawal reinforced this position. She stated unequivocally that no cultural belief or traditional justification should be used to defend a practice that harms children.

“FGM is a deeply harmful act that leaves lasting scars — both visible and invisible,” she said. “Our daughters deserve protection, not pain.”

She pointed out that stigma, misinformation, and entrenched social norms continue to sustain the practice, particularly in rural communities.

However, she acknowledged that advocacy efforts and enforcement measures in Oyo State have begun to yield measurable progress.

Health Consequences: A Public Health Crisis
Medical expert Tunde Oyewole Aremu described FGM as a significant public health threat.

He explained that victims often suffer:
Severe bleeding during the procedure
High risk of infections
Complications during childbirth
Chronic pelvic pain
Emotional and psychological trauma
According to him, there are no medical benefits whatsoever associated with FGM.

Instead, it increases maternal health risks and can contribute to long-term reproductive complications.

“FGM is not healthcare. It is harm,” he stated firmly.
Legal Implications: Offenders Will Be Prosecuted
From a legal standpoint, Olubunmi Aare made it clear that the practice is a criminal offence under the law.

She warned that anyone involved, practitioners, parents, guardians, or accomplices, would face prosecution.

“Female Genital Mutilation is illegal. The government will not hesitate to enforce the law against offenders,” she declared.

She added that enforcement would go hand-in-hand with sustained public education campaigns to ensure communities understand both the legal and human consequences of the act.

The Role of Sustained Commitment
Also speaking at the event, Toyin Balogun emphasised that eliminating FGM requires long-term commitment and investment.

Referencing the 2030 target, she said ending the practice demands coordinated efforts across health, justice, education, and community sectors.

“This is not a fight that ends with speeches,” she noted. “It requires sustained action, collaboration, and accountability.”
Cultural Shift: Practitioners Express Willingness to Change
In a notable development, Abobade Muftau, representing traditional circumcisers, acknowledged ongoing dialogue between practitioners and the government.

He expressed the association’s willingness to abandon FGM and explore alternative livelihoods,a sign that advocacy efforts may be reshaping long-held beliefs.

A Collective Stand Against Harm
The event brought together government officials, civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders, and community advocates, all united by a shared message:
FGM is harmful, unnecessary, illegal, and must end.

Beyond cultural debates, the central message remained clear:
FGM causes irreversible physical damage.

It leaves deep psychological wounds.
It violates human rights.
It offers no medical benefit.

It endangers the future of girls and women.
As Oyo State pushes toward its 2030 elimination target, leaders insist that every girl deserves to grow up whole, healthy, and free from violence disguised as tradition.