Government approves ₦250,000 dowry for each bride as preparations reach advanced stage

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Kebbi State Government, in partnership with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), has fixed July 27 for the third edition of its inclusive mass wedding programme for 300 Muslim and Christian couples.

The date was announced by the Chairman of the Organising Committee and National Organising Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

Argungu said the programme would benefit 600 prospective spouses drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state. According to him, the beneficiaries were selected from among orphans, widows and divorcees after meeting all the required religious and legal conditions for marriage.

He recalled that the state successfully conducted similar mass weddings for 300 couples in 2024 and 2025, adding that application forms had already been distributed across the 21 local government areas, while preparations for this year’s event had reached an advanced stage.

He said committees on security, medical services, transportation, Islamic scholars and general coordination had been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.

Argungu disclosed that all prospective couples were undergoing mandatory medical screening, including pregnancy, genotype and HIV/AIDS tests, alongside other legal requirements for marriage in the state.

He further said Governor Nasir Idris had approved the payment of dowry for all 300 couples, with ₦250,000 to be paid for each bride. He added that the government and its partners would also provide furniture, food items and other household materials to help the newlyweds establish stable homes.

According to him, local furniture makers have been engaged to produce beds, wardrobes, sofas and other household items for distribution to the beneficiaries.

Argungu said the programme would accommodate both Muslim and Christian couples who had fulfilled all stipulated marital requirements, stressing that there would be no discrimination as long as applicants fall within the approved categories of orphans, widows or divorcees.

He added that the marriages would be solemnised after extensive consultations with Islamic scholars and in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which encourage marriage as a means of promoting family values and societal development.

Source: Vanguard