The Kano State Government has earmarked N1.5 billion for its upcoming mass wedding programme, which is expected to benefit 3,000 couples across the state.

The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Daurawa, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists on preparations for the exercise.

According to Daurawa, the funds will cover various aspects of the programme, including the purchase of furniture, food items, clothing materials, payment of dowries and financial support for the brides.

“The Kano State Government is to spend N1.5 billion on the entire mass wedding programme, which will soon be conducted in the state,” he said.

He explained that each bride selected under the scheme would receive a start-up capital of N100,000 to support her new home and livelihood after marriage.

Daurawa added that the Hisbah Board, in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Health, has commenced mandatory medical screening for intending couples to determine their health status before the wedding ceremony.

According to him, the tests cover hepatitis, HIV, pregnancy, genotype compatibility and other sexually transmitted infections, in line with the state’s efforts to ensure healthy marriages.

“The mandatory medical screening is for hepatitis, pregnancy, HIV, genotype as well as other sexually transmitted diseases,” the Hisbah chief stated.

He revealed that more than 5,000 people applied to participate in the programme, but only 3,000 couples would be selected after completing the screening process.

Daurawa commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for sustaining the initiative, noting that the governor would announce the official date for the mass wedding ceremony.

He also recalled that the medical screening exercise began on May 8, 2026, covering prospective couples drawn from 24 of the state’s 44 local government areas.

The mass wedding programme has become one of the key social intervention initiatives of the Kano State Government, aimed at assisting low-income residents and promoting family values across the state.