Kano, Nigeria, has seen 1,500 couples marry in a state-sponsored mass wedding, an initiative designed to support low-income individuals. The Kano state government invested 1.5bn naira (£815,000) in the scheme, covering the bride's dowry and furniture for the couples' first homes.
The celebrations culminated on Saturday with a wedding breakfast hosted by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The event, overseen by the Hisbah, the city's Islamic police force, involved vetting couples due to the benefits offered.
Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy commander-general of the Hisbah, stated that some couples were disqualified for presenting altered medical test results. In one instance, an intending bride reportedly presented her brother as the groom, while another already married couple attempted to participate in the scheme.
Local journalist Yusuf Ali Abdallah suggested that Nigeria's struggling economy has fuelled desperation among applicants. The Hisbah acknowledged allegations of individuals asking for bribes to be included on the list, but assured the public that the entire process, from selection to medicals and goods, is free.