The Kano State Hisbah Board has stated that its mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians who meet the requirements and wish to participate in the initiative.
The Deputy Commander of the board, Muhajahideen Aminiudeen, made the clarification during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday July 1, 2026 while outlining the conditions for participation.
He disclosed that three Christian couples were among those who participated in the last edition of the programme held in October 2023.
Although preparations are underway for another round of the exercise, Aminiudeen said it was too early to confirm whether any Christian couples had registered interest for the upcoming event.
He explained that the programme, now known as “Auren Gata” meaning “marriage for the privileged”, is designed for widows, widowers, divorcees, spinters and bachelors.
According to him, the initiative continues to promote stable family life while helping to curb social vices across the state.
He added that one of the programme’s goals is to fulfil Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) instruction encouraging Muslims to marry and build families.
Aminudeen said the administration of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was particularly targeting orphans and under privileged families that could not afford to marry off their daughters, noting that all beneficiaries were selected after screening and verification.
A stakeholder Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub, described the initiative as commendable, saying it would strengthen families, protect young people from immoral behavior and contribute to social stability, expressing confidence that the counselling, screening and post marriage guidance provided by the board would enhance the success of the marriages and reduced divorce rates.
A Kano resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the initiative had created opportunities for many men and women who wished to marry but lacked the financial means.
He added that the initiative would help many young people protect themselves from immoral acts.
Another resident, Jamila Surajo, said the programme had benefited many vulnerable families and urged beneficiaries to approach marriage with sincerity, and expressed concern that some couples in previous batches allegedly entered the marriages mainly to access government support rather than build lasting families.
-9News Nigeria.
