There were celebrations across Kano State on Friday as the state government conducted a mass wedding for 1,500 couples in an initiative aimed at helping low-income families overcome the rising cost of marriage and promoting social stability.
The two-day ceremony, organised under the state’s social welfare programme, brought together couples from all 44 local government areas of the state. The initiative was approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who committed about $1.1 million to sponsor the mass wedding.
The state government said the programme was designed to ease the financial burden associated with marriage and provide economically disadvantaged couples with an opportunity to establish their families.
One of the grooms, Abubakar Aliyu Musa, said he participated in the programme because it would reduce the financial pressure on both families involved.
“The whole idea for the marriage is to help our families and we husbands who are not financially stable to marry. That’s why the government is helping us get married.”
Participation in the mass wedding was subject to a screening process. The 1,500 couples were required to undergo medical examinations, including tests for HIV and hepatitis, as well as genotype compatibility checks, before being selected.
Another groom, Samini Tijani Isa, said the initiative had given him an opportunity to marry that might otherwise have remained out of reach because of the prevailing economic difficulties.
“If it wasn’t for the mass wedding, I wouldn’t have gotten married even in the next five years due to the hardship of life.”
The marriage ceremonies were held at Kano’s central mosque, where the unions were solemnised in accordance with Islamic rites in the presence of the governor, government officials and other dignitaries.
During the proceedings, male participants and officials took part in the formal ceremonies inside the mosque, while the female participants remained outside in accordance with the arrangements for the event.
Beyond solemnising the marriages, the state government said the initiative would provide the newly married couples with essential support to help them establish their homes.
The beneficiaries are expected to receive furniture, foodstuffs, household items and financial assistance as part of the government’s broader support package.
Officials said the initiative was intended not only to reduce the immediate financial pressures associated with marriage but also to strengthen families and promote social cohesion across Kano State.
The mass wedding comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living, unemployment and the increasing financial challenges faced by young Nigerians seeking to establish families.
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