The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced significant reductions in marriage-related costs in an effort to improve accessibility and compliance with statutory marriage requirements. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the interior minister, is leading the campaign, which aims to ease financial restraints encountered by individuals and religious institutions and make it easier for unions to become legally formalized.
Governmental Initiative to Enhance Marriage Formalization
Marriage has important cultural, social, and legal impacts because it is a basic institution in society. The Federal Government has taken steps to expedite the marriage registration procedure and reduce the financial responsibilities connected with it, realizing the necessity of formalizing marriages within a legal framework.
Fee Reduction Details
The updated price schedule, which goes into effect on July 1st, takes into account feedback from stakeholders at the 2019 Sensitization Conferences that were hosted across the country. Important modifications consist of:
- Lowering the cost of new marriage licenses to places of worship from N30,000 to N6,000 per year for the first five years.
- Reducing the annual renewal cost of marriage licenses obtained from houses of public worship from N30,000 to N5,000, which is payable every three years.
- Fees for statutory regular licenses would decrease from N35,000 to N25,000, and for statutory ordinary marriages, from N21,000 to N15,000.
The Lunch Of An Automation Platform
The Ministry of Interior has introduced an automated platform called eCitibiz portal that can be accessed via its website (https://ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng/) in conjunction with the fee reductions. Through the use of technology, this platform enables state and municipal governments to effectively oversee statutory marriage services, improving administrative convenience and transparency.
Conclusion
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a major step in the direction of increasing accessibility and adherence to the law with its decision to reduce marriage expenses. Stakeholders can take an active role in formalizing unions within the legal framework by bringing technical solutions and resolving financial impediments.
This program not only demonstrates the government's dedication to efficient governance, but it also emphasizes how crucial collaboration is to accomplishing social goals.
In order to maintain social cohesiveness and legal conformance as Nigeria progresses, it is imperative that marriage registration procedures be made accessible and compatible.
