The Kano State Hisbah Board has said its government-sponsored mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians, stressing that the initiative is designed to support underprivileged residents regardless of religious affiliation.
Deputy Commander of the board, Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Kano on Wednesday.
According to him, Christian couples have previously benefited from the initiative.
“The programme is open to both Muslims and Christians who are willing to participate. During the last mass wedding held in October 2023, three Christian couples took part,” Aminuddeen said.
He explained that preparations were ongoing for the next edition of the programme, popularly known as “Auren Gata” (Marriage for the Privileged), although it was too early to confirm the number of Christian participants for this year’s exercise.
Aminuddeen said the scheme targets widows, widowers, divorcees, bachelors and spinsters, adding that it aims to strengthen family life while addressing social challenges linked to delayed marriages.
“The initiative promotes family values and helps reduce immoral behaviour associated with financial difficulties that prevent many people from getting married. It also supports vulnerable families who cannot afford marriage expenses,” he said.
He added that beneficiaries are selected through a screening and verification process to ensure the programme reaches deserving individuals.
Some residents and experts have praised the initiative for its social and economic impact.
Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub described the programme as a positive intervention capable of strengthening families and reducing divorce through counselling and post-marriage guidance.
Resident Jamila Suraja said many vulnerable families had benefited from the initiative but urged participants to approach marriage with sincerity rather than focusing on government support.
Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, noted that the scheme had given many financially disadvantaged men and women an opportunity to marry.
Economist Dr Abdulsalam Kani said the programme could contribute to poverty reduction if accompanied by sustainable empowerment initiatives.
“Empowerment can only succeed when beneficiaries possess skills or are engaged in productive ventures. That is essential for reducing poverty and unemployment,” he said.
Also commenting, sociologist Dr Muhammad Hadi-Musa described the mass wedding as a broader social development policy rather than merely a ceremonial event.
“The programme has encouraged simpler wedding ceremonies, reduced financial barriers to marriage and demonstrated that government can support family development alongside infrastructure and economic growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, recently disclosed that the state government has set aside ₦1.5 billion for the next mass wedding, which is expected to benefit 1,500 couples.
He said prospective couples are currently undergoing medical screenings, including HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype tests, while officials also verify the financial capacity and accommodation of prospective grooms.
According to Daurawa, each groom will receive ₦100,000 as dowry for his bride, while each bride will also be given ₦100,000 as start-up capital for a business.
“The government will also provide furniture, mattresses and food items for beneficiaries. About 5,000 people applied, but only 3,000 beneficiaries, representing 1,500 couples, will participate in the programme,” he said.
