Government hosts 600 mass weddings in four Nigerian states

Nigeria’s government staged a series of mass weddings this week to cut the cost of marriage for low-income couples, providing rings, gowns and venues for hundreds of people in one weekend alone. The programme is open to widows, divorcees, orphans and anyone who could not afford a traditional wedding but still wanted to marry legally. Local officials say more than 600 couples tied the knot at ceremonies held in four states—Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Oyo—over two days, with plans to repeat the event in other regions.

The push comes as inflation and rising living costs have pushed the average Nigerian wedding bill past $1,500, roughly twice the monthly minimum wage in many states. Traditional ceremonies can cost far more, with families expected to pay for venue hire, catering and gifts. Many young people postpone marriage for years simply because they cannot save enough. The government says it wants to reduce financial pressure so couples can start families sooner and ease social pressure on single adults. Religious and community leaders have welcomed the move, arguing it removes one of the biggest barriers to family formation in a largely conservative society.

Each wedding package includes a simple white gown for the bride, a suit for the groom, a small venue and a celebratory meal for guests. Couples still have to register their marriages at the local council, which costs an extra $30, but officials waive the usual $100 filing fee during the event. In Kano state alone, 210 couples signed legal papers on Saturday, while Kaduna saw 160. Social media videos show brides in matching dresses lining up outside temporary tents, grooms in rented suits and officials handing out gifts. The events are funded from a state-level “social inclusion” budget set aside each year, but organisers say they are struggling to meet demand with only a few hundred spots available per state.

Officials plan to expand the programme next year and include pre-marital counselling sessions for couples. They also want to add micro-loans so newlyweds can start small businesses. Critics argue the scheme is a short-term fix and does not address deeper issues like youth unemployment and housing shortages. Supporters counter that it gives struggling families a dignified start. Either way, the mass weddings have become a rare bright spot for couples who say they could not have married without the help.