The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced plans to begin medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples ahead of a state-sponsored mass wedding programme aimed at supporting vulnerable residents across the state.
The screening exercise will cover 1,500 men and 1,500 women selected to participate in the initiative, according to the Deputy Commander-General of the board, Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Aminudeen explained that the medical checks are a compulsory part of the marriage preparation process and are designed to assess the health conditions of intending couples before the weddings are conducted.
He stated that all participants will undergo a series of tests, including screening for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, genotype compatibility, and drug use. According to him, the health assessment is intended to ensure couples are medically informed and fit before entering into marriage.
Aminudeen made it clear that participation in the screening is mandatory, warning that any selected individual who fails to complete the exercise will automatically lose eligibility for the programme.
The mass wedding is being organised by the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, continuing a social welfare programme designed to reduce the financial burden of marriage for low-income residents.
Beneficiaries are expected to come largely from less-privileged backgrounds, including widows, divorcees, and unmarried women seeking financial support to begin married life.
As part of the intervention, the state government will reportedly cover marriage-related expenses, including payment of dowries and other support packages for newlyweds.
Aminudeen revealed that each bride will receive household support items such as a bed, mattress, and pillows. In addition, beneficiaries are expected to receive financial assistance to help them begin small businesses after marriage.
According to him, each bride will be given N100,000 as business startup support, while the government will also provide N100,000 as dowry support.
The initiative is designed not only to encourage marriage but also to promote economic empowerment for women entering married life.
Kano’s mass wedding programme is not new. It was first introduced during the administration of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as part of efforts to support vulnerable women, strengthen family structures, and address social issues linked to poverty and delayed marriages.
Over the years, the programme has become a notable social intervention in Kano, attracting both praise and debate over its role in social welfare and public spending.
Supporters argue that the initiative eases the financial strain of marriage, especially for those facing economic hardship, while also helping to reduce social vulnerability among women.
With preparations now underway, the upcoming medical screening marks the next major step before the official wedding ceremonies are held, as thousands of beneficiaries prepare to begin a new chapter with government-backed support.
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