The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has called on families to curb extravagant spending on weddings and instead use the savings to assist vulnerable members of society. Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Crystal Muslim Organisation in Abuja, the traditional ruler criticized the growing culture of spending huge sums on makeup, aso ebi, and lavish parties despite Nigeria's economic challenges.
Emir Condemns Wasteful Wedding Expenditure
Bamalli expressed concern that many families spend millions of naira on wedding ceremonies while numerous Nigerians struggle to afford basic meals. He highlighted that such misplaced priorities exacerbate social problems. According to Daily Trust, the emir stated: “You will see our people spending millions of Naira for just cosmetics if a girl is getting married, and because we have some crazy parents that spend up to $10,000 for this makeup they do. Or to buy asoebi for half a million Naira, N200,000 or N300,000, which is totally unacceptable as far as I am concerned.”
The monarch revealed that he personally refuses to spend money on wedding makeup or aso ebi, adding that anyone wishing to do so is free to make that choice without his support.
Call for Redirecting Funds to the Needy
Bamalli urged families to focus on investments that improve lives and strengthen communities rather than excessive celebrations. “They spend lavishly on parties that are highly unnecessary. I’m not saying that you should not celebrate, but there are things that we have to scale down. We have to tell ourselves the truth. We don’t need such things, given the current situation in the country,” he said.
Advocacy for Vocational Training
The emir also advocated for the inclusion of vocational skills training in both Western and Islamic education. He argued that practical knowledge would enable graduates to become self-reliant and generate income, even while working from home. This, he said, would improve family incomes and reduce dependence on wasteful spending.
The National Amir of the Crystal Muslim Organisation, Alhaji Muhammad Sagir Shettima, noted that the anniversary celebrated two decades of promoting Islamic values and supporting people in need. He added that the organization rewarded 12 winners in its essay competition and appealed for greater support to expand assistance to disadvantaged members of society.
Context of Economic Hardship
The emir's remarks come amid widespread economic difficulties in Nigeria, where many citizens face rising costs of living and unemployment. His call for reduced wedding spending aligns with broader efforts to encourage financial prudence and social responsibility. Previously, Kano state revived a mass wedding initiative, with medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples scheduled to begin in June 2026.
