Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Government has finalised arrangements to sponsor 300 couples in the third edition of its mass wedding programme, with Governor Nasir Idris approving the payment of N250,000 as dowry for each bride, in an initiative aimed at promoting family values, supporting vulnerable members of society, and reducing the financial burden of marriage on orphans, widows and divorcees across the state. Chairman of the Mass Wedding Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, revealing that the programme, organised in partnership with the governor's wife's NANAS Foundation, is open to all eligible indigenes regardless of ethnic or religious background.
The beneficiaries, comprising 600 prospective spouses, were drawn from the state's 21 local government areas and 225 wards following a rigorous screening process. Argungu said the selection specifically targeted orphans, widows and divorcees who had fulfilled the required religious and legal conditions for marriage. He noted that local government committees had been directed to verify that each groom has a reliable source of income to support his family, ensuring that the unions would be sustainable beyond the wedding ceremony.
The wedding ceremony, tagged "Inclusive Mass Wedding," is scheduled to take place on July 27, 2026, in Birnin Kebbi in the presence of Governor Nasir Idris, Islamic clerics and other dignitaries. The event will accommodate both Muslims and Christians who have fulfilled all stipulated marital procedures, with Argungu emphasising that "there is no discrimination, provided applicants fall within the approved categories of orphans, widows or divorcees". The wedding will be solemnised after extensive consultations with Islamic scholars and in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which encourage marriage as a means of promoting family values and societal development.
All prospective couples are undergoing mandatory medical screening, including pregnancy, genotype and HIV/AIDS tests, in addition to other lawful prerequisites for marriage in the state. The government has also constituted various committees to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme, including those on security, medical services, transportation, Islamic scholars and general coordination. This comprehensive approach reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that the unions are built on a foundation of health, compatibility and stability.
Beyond the dowry payment, the government and its partners will provide the newly married couples with furniture, food items and other domestic materials to help them establish stable homes. Local furniture makers have been engaged to produce beds, wardrobes, sofas and other household items for distribution to the beneficiaries. The NANAS Foundation, led by the governor's wife, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris, will provide beds, mattresses, food items and other household essentials to help the couples begin married life. A monitoring committee has also been set up to oversee the welfare of the couples after the wedding and ensure the proper use of the items provided.
This year's edition marks the third consecutive mass wedding programme initiated by the Kebbi State Government, following successful maiden editions conducted for 300 couples in 2024 and 2025. The programme is part of the state government's broader social intervention strategy aimed at addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable members of society, particularly orphans, widows and divorcees who often struggle to afford the costs associated with marriage. By providing dowry, furniture and household essentials, the government seeks to remove financial barriers to marriage and promote family stability across the state.
Argungu, a former Deputy Governor of the state and National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, said the government had already distributed application forms to prospective couples across the 21 local government areas, with preparations reaching an advanced stage. He expressed confidence that the programme would achieve its objectives of promoting family values, reducing social vices and supporting the most vulnerable members of society. The initiative has been widely welcomed by community leaders and religious figures, who have praised the government's commitment to addressing the social and economic challenges facing the state's population.
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