Femicide in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, with a woman or girl killed every 49 hours, according to data from the Femicide Observatory run by DOHS Care Foundation, a women’s rights organisation led by Mrs Ololade Ajayi. In the first five months of 2026 alone, the foundation tracked 54 gender-related killings, following 197 cases in 2023 and 133 in 2024, which involved the deaths of 150 women and girls. These figures highlight a disturbing trend of violence rooted in gender-based motives, often committed by intimate partners or family members.
The Femicide Observatory, an online tool that scans the internet, social media, and media reports, serves as a critical resource for monitoring these cases. Despite the rising numbers, justice remains elusive for most victims. Only two cases in 2024—those of Hauwa Alli and Salome Adaidu—saw swift legal action, with perpetrators sentenced to death. In most other cases, the justice process is slow, traumatic, and often fails to deliver accountability. Families are repeatedly re-traumatised by prolonged court hearings, adjournments, and lack of support.
Data reveals that the home is the most dangerous place for Nigerian women, with most femicides committed by husbands, boyfriends, or former partners. A recurring pattern involves killings linked to rejected sexual advances, such as the case of a nursing student in Imo State who was raped and killed for refusing a man’s advances. Another case involved a woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend who disguised himself as a deliveryman to gain access to her home. Substance abuse also plays a role, with women and girls killed by drug-abusing relatives, including sons.
Mrs Ajayi stresses that calling these killings “domestic violence” or “crime of passion” often justifies femicide. She argues that the term “femicide” is essential to recognise the gender-based motive and to distinguish it from other homicides. For example, a woman killed by a stranger during a robbery is categorised differently from one killed by a partner after years of abuse. Without this distinction, the state fails to address the root cause: misogyny.
She highlights that Nigeria lacks specific legislation on femicide, despite its prevalence. The country’s response is inadequate, with only 52 sexual assault referral centres and shelters for over 200 million people. Cases like that of Lucy in Enugu, who reported abuse twice before being killed, show systemic failure. Even when victims report abuse, authorities often fail to protect them. In some instances, perpetrators use children to obstruct justice by threatening their welfare if the father is imprisoned.
Mrs Ajayi calls for femicide prevention laws, dedicated response units, and a shift in societal perception. She wants femicide treated as a public health and political issue, not a private matter. She has engaged lawmakers through partnerships with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and the Gender Technical Unit in the National Assembly. Letters have been sent to senators and representatives in hotspot states like Lagos, Delta, FCT, Ogun, Edo, and Kano, urging legislative action.
Without urgent intervention, the cycle of violence will continue. Countries with femicide laws and fatality review systems have seen declines in cases. Nigeria must adopt similar models to protect women and girls, ensure justice, and save lives.
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