Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has announced a sweeping ban on several popular practices associated with weddings and social gatherings, including the use of Disc Jockeys (DJs), marriage introduction gifts, mixed-gender entertainment, and the mounting of loudspeakers on commercial tricycles. The Commander of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau, announced the measures on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the board's headquarters in Sokoto, stating that the prohibitions take immediate effect and are aimed at promoting morality and preserving the state's religious and cultural values.
The ban specifically targets a marriage introduction custom popularly known as "Na Gani In So," in which a suitor presents assorted gift items such as cartons of soft drinks, bottled water, biscuits, sweets, and kola nuts to the prospective bride's family. The board has now outlawed this practice entirely, along with the use of DJs and Wazigidi music at ceremonies. Other prohibited practices include the mounting of loudspeakers and excessive sound systems on tricycles (Keke Napep), women sitting beside tricycle riders, mixed-gender gatherings for entertainment, what the board described as "indecent hairstyles" for children and youths, and excessive spending on bridal gifts, locally known as "lefe".
Addressing journalists, Commander Jatau declared that these practices are "innovations (bid'ah)" that are contrary to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and have negative consequences for any marriage conducted in such a manner. "We declare that these innovations, which are contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), have negative consequences for any marriage conducted in such a manner because it departs from the teachings of the Prophet," he said. Jatau called on parents, intending couples, and members of both families to fear Allah and avoid the prohibited practices. "We call on the families of both the bride and groom, as well as parents, to fear Allah and desist from these practices," he said.
The Hisbah commander warned that the board would strictly enforce the directives and carry out its responsibilities whenever prohibited practices are taking place, especially when called upon to intervene. Describing the announcement as a final warning, Jatau urged event organisers, DJs, and others involved in the banned practices to stop immediately. "This is our final warning to everyone, especially those engaged in these activities and those who patronise them. They should fear Allah and stop before sanctions are taken against them," he said.
Jatau also appealed to parents and intending couples to simplify marriage arrangements, particularly bridal gifts. "We call on parents and intending couples to simplify bridal gifts, avoid unnecessary showmanship and conduct marriages according to the Sunnah so that husbands, wives and their families can be spared debt, hardship, theft and other unlawful acts committed in the course of organising weddings," he said. The commander further urged community leaders across the state to play a greater role in promoting moral values. "We want community leaders in every ward and locality to discharge the responsibility entrusted to them by ensuring proper moral upbringing of the people under their leadership," he said.
The announcement has drawn significant attention, coming just one day after the Sokoto State Government ordered the closure of all public primary and secondary schools outside the state capital following a series of deadly bandit attacks. The Hisbah Board's latest restrictions represent one of the most comprehensive attempts to regulate social and wedding practices in the state, reflecting the board's broader mandate to uphold Islamic values and promote moral discipline. The ban on "Na Gani In So" is particularly significant, as the practice has long been a cherished tradition in Sokoto's wedding culture, where the presentation of gifts to the bride's family is seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect. The prohibition of DJs and Wazigidi music is also likely to affect the livelihoods of many entertainers who depend on wedding ceremonies for their income.
The board's decision to ban women sitting beside tricycle riders is part of a broader effort to enforce gender segregation in public spaces, a measure that has been implemented in various forms across other northern states with Sharia legal systems. The prohibition of mixed-gender entertainment gatherings similarly reflects the board's interpretation of Islamic teachings on gender interaction. The restriction on "indecent hairstyles" for children and youths signals the board's intention to regulate personal appearance in line with its moral standards.
As the ban takes immediate effect, residents, event organisers, and entertainers across Sokoto State are now faced with the challenge of adjusting their plans to comply with the new regulations. The Hisbah Board has made it clear that it will enforce the directives and take action against violators. For now, the people of Sokoto await further guidance on how the board will implement the ban and what sanctions offenders may face. The announcement has also sparked conversations about the balance between religious values and individual freedoms, a debate that continues to shape public discourse in Nigeria's northern states.
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