Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has allocated N2.5 billion for mass weddings across the state in 2025. The weddings, which will be conducted quarterly in all 44 local government areas, aim to support couples who cannot afford the cost of marriage.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Musa Sulaiman Shanono, while briefing journalists on the breakdown of the N719.7 billion state budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
The mass wedding program will continue in 2025, with N2.5 billion allocated for its successful implementation across the state, Shanono said.
This initiative follows a similar program in 2023, where the state government spent N854 million to sponsor the weddings of 1,800 couples.
Apart from the mass wedding program, the Kano government has also allocated N6.2 billion for free education and school feeding programs to ease the financial burden on families.
The government remains committed to providing free education and ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial constraints, Shanono stated.
The education sector received the highest allocation in the budget, with N205.9 billion, which represents 29% of the total budget.
The commissioner explained that the 2025 budget, tagged the Budget of Hope, Human Capital, and Economic Development, is designed to strengthen policies that drive economic and social development in the state.
This budget aims to direct resources and efforts towards stimulating human capital development and economic growth, he said.
Mass wedding programs have become a regular practice in Kano, helping couples who lack the financial means to get married. The initiative is often seen as a way to reduce social issues like poverty, immorality, and insecurity.
While some residents have praised the government for continuing the program, others believe that the funds should be prioritized for essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Also Read:
- Police Begin Nationwide Crackdown on Third-Party Insurance Defaulters
- NDLEA Arrests Businessman with 81 Pellets of Cocaine in His Stomach
One Kano resident, Aisha Muhammad, expressed her support for the initiative.
There are many young people who want to get married but cannot afford it. This program helps them start their families with dignity, she said.
However, another resident, Aliyu Ibrahim, questioned the government’s spending priorities.
N2.5 billion is a huge amount. I believe the government should focus more on providing jobs for youths so they can marry on their own, he said.
Despite differing opinions, the mass wedding initiative remains a key part of Kano State’s social welfare programs, with the government promising to continue supporting couples in need.