Kebbi State Invests ₦54 Million in Mass Wedding as Education Infrastructure Crumbles

In a move sparking nationwide debate, Kebbi State government spent ₦54 million to organize a mass wedding for 300 couples, covering dowries and ceremonial costs. The event, held last week in Birnin Kebbi, aimed to “alleviate poverty and reduce societal burdens,” according to state officials. Meanwhile, UNICEF data ranks Kebbi among Nigeria’s worst-performing states in education, with over 70% of children out of school and classrooms crumbling from neglect.

Governor Nasir Idris defended the initiative, stating it aligns with cultural values and supports vulnerable families. Each couple received ₦100,000 for dowries, with the remaining funds allocated to logistics, food, and clothing. Attendees praised the gesture. “This wedding saved me from shame,” said Aisha Aliyu, a 21-year-old bride whose family struggled to afford marriage costs. Critics, however, question prioritizing weddings over classrooms. A 2023 report by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) reveals Kebbi has 1,230 primary schools needing urgent repairs, while only 18% of children complete junior secondary education.

Residents like Musa Dangote, a father of four in Argungu, express frustration. “My children walk 10 kilometers daily to a school with no chairs,” he said. “Would that ₦54 million not build classrooms?” The state’s education budget for 2023—₦13.5 billion—remains underutilized, with delayed projects and unpaid contractor fees. Analysts argue poor education perpetuates poverty. “You cannot address economic hardship without investing in human capital,” said Dr. Fatima Bello, an economist at Usmanu Danfodiyo University. “Mass weddings are palliative; education is transformative.”

Kebbi’s cultural context complicates the issue. Local traditions prioritize early marriage, particularly for girls, often sidelining schooling. The National Bureau of Statistics notes 58% of girls in Kebbi marry before 18, compared to the national average of 44%. While the state government claims the mass wedding discourages informal unions, activists stress that without educational opportunities, young women remain trapped in cycles of dependency. “Education empowers girls to negotiate their futures,” said Hauwa Abdullahi of the Sokoto Women’s Rights Initiative. “A one-time wedding payment does not.”

Federal authorities acknowledge the crisis but shift responsibility. “States control primary education,” said UBEC spokesman David Apeh. “We allocate funds, but implementation lies with them.” Kebbi’s Primary Education Board admits challenges, citing insecurity and cultural resistance as barriers. Meanwhile, neighboring Sokoto and Zamfara—also grappling with low school enrollment—have launched teacher recruitment drives and community awareness campaigns. Kebbi’s focus on weddings, critics argue, signals misplaced priorities.

Public reaction remains divided. Social media buzzes with hashtags like #PrioritizeEducation and #KebbiWeddings. Some users applaud preserving tradition; others demand accountability. The controversy highlights a broader national tension between cultural practices and developmental needs. With over 20 million Nigerian children out of school—the highest globally—Kebbi’s struggle mirrors systemic failures. As debates rage, the 300 newlyweds begin their lives, while thousands of children await schools that may never come.