The Kano State Hisbah Board has said its mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians, describing the initiative as a social intervention designed to strengthen families, reduce immorality and support financially disadvantaged couples.
Deputy Commander of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this while outlining the eligibility requirements for the programme.
According to him, the initiative, popularly known as Auren Gata (Marriage for the Privileged), is open to widows, widowers, divorcees, bachelors and spinsters, irrespective of their religious background.
He revealed that three Christian couples participated in the last edition of the mass wedding held in October 2023, adding that preparations are underway for another exercise, although it is too early to determine whether Christian couples will be among the beneficiaries this year.
Aminuddeen said the programme seeks to encourage marriage in line with Islamic teachings while addressing social and economic challenges that delay marriage for many young people.
He noted that the initiative helps curb immoral behaviour by assisting those who cannot afford marriage expenses and discourages practices such as street hawking by young women trying to raise funds for weddings.
He added that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is giving priority to orphans and other vulnerable groups, stressing that all applicants undergo thorough screening and verification before selection.
Stakeholders have also commended the programme for its impact on families and society.
Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub described the initiative as a laudable intervention that promotes family values, strengthens marriages and reduces divorce through counselling and post-marital support.
A resident, Jamila Suraja, said the programme has provided relief to many struggling families but urged beneficiaries to embrace marriage with sincerity rather than seeing it as an avenue to benefit from government assistance.
Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the scheme has enabled many men and women who lacked the financial means to marry, helping them avoid immoral behaviour.
Economist Dr Abdulsalam Kani said the empowerment aspect of the programme could contribute to poverty reduction and stimulate economic activity if properly implemented. He noted that financial hardship remains one of the leading causes of marital instability in northern Nigeria.
Similarly, sociologist Dr Muhammad Hadi-Musa described the initiative as a broader social development policy rather than merely a welfare programme.
According to him, the mass wedding scheme has encouraged simpler wedding ceremonies, reduced financial barriers to marriage and demonstrated how government can support family development beyond traditional infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, recently announced that the state government has approved N1.5 billion for the next mass wedding programme, which will cater for 1,500 couples.
He said intending couples are currently undergoing medical screening, including HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype tests, while the board is also confirming that each prospective groom has a source of livelihood and suitable accommodation.
Daurawa said each groom will receive N100,000 to pay the bride’s dowry, while each bride will receive N100,000 as business start-up support. Beneficiaries will also receive household items, including beds, mattresses, furniture and food supplies.
He disclosed that about 5,000 people applied for the programme, with 3,000 beneficiaries comprising 1,500 couples expected to participate in the forthcoming mass wedding. He added that couples who marry under the scheme are expected to follow the board’s laid-down procedures before seeking a divorce.
