The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced that the upcoming mass wedding programme involving 1,500 couples will cost about N1.5 billion, as preparations intensify for the state-sponsored ceremony.
The Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing with journalists in Kano.
He said arrangements for the large-scale wedding were at an advanced stage, with prospective couples undergoing medical screening, including tests for HIV, hepatitis B, genotype compatibility, and pregnancy checks.
According to him, the initiative is part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s campaign promises aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens and promoting social welfare in the state.
Daurawa explained that the government would ensure only eligible and compatible couples are selected, adding that beneficiaries must demonstrate readiness for marriage, including financial capacity and accommodation arrangements for grooms.
He said each groom would receive N100,000 as dowry support, while brides would also get N100,000 as empowerment funds to support small business startups.
“In total, the government will spend about N1 million per couple, amounting to N1.5 billion for 1,500 couples,” he said.
He added that additional support would include household items such as beds, mattresses, furniture, and food supplies to help newlyweds begin married life comfortably.
Daurawa revealed that about 5,000 applicants initially applied for the programme, out of which 3,000 were shortlisted, while 1,500 couples will eventually benefit from the mass wedding scheme.
He further stated that approximately 2,000 applicants have already undergone medical screening as part of the selection process.
The Hisbah boss stressed that the initiative also includes post-wedding monitoring to ensure stability in the marriages, noting that follow-up assessments would be conducted for earlier beneficiaries of similar programmes.
He also disclosed that participants would be required to adhere to the board’s marital guidelines, including restrictions on divorce without official approval from the Hisbah authorities.
“We will carry out follow-up visits and ensure compliance for the benefit of the families involved,” he said.
In addition, the board’s Director-General, Abba Sufi, said a pre-wedding seminar would be organised to educate couples on Islamic marital principles, responsibilities, and conflict management.
He explained that the programme is designed to address social challenges such as poverty, adultery, and health-related risks associated with unregulated relationships.
A date for the mass wedding ceremony is expected to be officially announced by the state government in the coming days.
