Christians, Muslims eligible for Kano mass wedding – Hisbah

The Kano State Hisbah Board has clarified that the state government’s mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians who meet the eligibility requirements.

The Deputy Commander of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the conditions for participation in the initiative.

According to him, three Christian couples participated in the last mass wedding conducted in October 2023.

He said preparations for the next edition are ongoing, although it is yet to be confirmed whether any Christian couples have registered for the forthcoming exercise.

Aminuddeen explained that the programme, popularly known as Auren Gata—meaning “marriage for the privileged”—is open to widows, widowers, divorcees, spinsters and bachelors.

He said the initiative has become an important tool for strengthening families and reducing immoral behaviour in the state.

According to him, one of the major objectives of the programme is to encourage marriage in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), while also addressing financial barriers that prevent many people from getting married.

He added that the programme helps reduce street hawking by young women seeking money for marriage expenses and discourages immoral activities associated with delayed marriages.

Aminuddeen said the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is prioritising orphans and underprivileged families that cannot afford marriage expenses, stressing that all beneficiaries undergo proper screening and verification.

A stakeholder, Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub, described the programme as a commendable initiative capable of strengthening family values, protecting young people from immoral behaviour and promoting social stability.

He expressed confidence that the counselling, screening and post-marriage guidance offered by the Hisbah Board would improve the success of the marriages and reduce divorce rates.

A Kano resident, Jamila Suraja, said the programme had assisted many vulnerable families but urged beneficiaries to enter marriage with genuine commitment rather than viewing it as an opportunity to receive government support.

Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the initiative had created opportunities for men and women who wished to marry but lacked the financial means to do so.

Economist Dr Abdulsalam Kani said the programme could stimulate economic activities if properly implemented through the empowerment of beneficiaries.

He noted that poverty remains one of the major causes of divorce in northern Nigeria, adding that sustainable empowerment would help reduce marital instability.

According to him, the success of the empowerment component would depend on whether beneficiaries possess vocational skills or are engaged in productive businesses.

Sociologist Dr Muhammad Hadi-Musa described the programme as more than a welfare initiative, saying it should be viewed as a broader social development strategy.

He said the programme has helped promote simpler and more affordable marriage ceremonies while encouraging responsible family values and greater public participation in social development.

Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, recently disclosed that the state government has approved ₦1.5 billion for the forthcoming mass wedding involving 1,500 couples.

He said prospective couples are undergoing medical screening, including tests for HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype compatibility.

According to Daurawa, each groom will receive ₦100,000 as dowry for his bride, while each bride will receive ₦100,000 as business empowerment support.

He added that beneficiaries will also receive household items, including beds, mattresses, furniture and food supplies.

“The government will spend about ₦1 million on each couple, amounting to ₦1.5 billion for the programme,” he said.

Daurawa disclosed that about 5,000 people applied for the scheme, with 3,000 beneficiaries—representing 1,500 couples—expected to participate in the exercise.

He also stated that any participant wishing to divorce after the marriage would be required to obtain the consent of the Hisbah Board before proceeding.