Statutory Marriages: FG to Set Up Registries in 36 States

In a bid to ensure uniformity in the conduct of statutory marriages, the federal government has declared its intention to set up marriage registries in all the 36 state capitals in the country.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Information,  Mr.  Mohammed Manga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah disclosed on Thursday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that arrangements were also underway to establish new federal marriage registries in Umuahia, Abia State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, to address the challenges faced by couples in the South-South and South-east Zones

She stated this while declaring open a one-day sensitisation conference on the conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria with the theme: ‘Achieving Harmonious Compliance in the Conduct of Statutory Marriage in Nigeria’.

 Ehuriah further said: "The ministry is presently considering some of the recommendations made by stakeholders in the course of the conference like extending the validity period for licences issued to places of worship for the celebration of marriages as well as a downward review of the fees payable by couples for conduct of statutory marriages in federal marriage registries”.

"A machinery has also been put in place for the amendment of the Marriage Act to adequately meet the needs of the 21st century.”

The Registrar General of Marriages in Nigeria disclosed further that arrangements are ongoing to give couples whose certificates were not issued in line with the Act the opportunity to bring them to conformity.

According to her, the ministry is exploring the possibility of integrating the marriage registries operated by Local Governments into its online platform so as to bring them in conformity with the Marriage Act.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Citizenship and Business Department, Mr. Stephen Okon, stated that the conference was necessitated by the challenges faced by citizens because of wrong documentation of their marriages which have led to series of litigations.

He stated that the conference is aimed at creating more awareness on issues surrounding conduct of valid statutory marriage as well as bringing about conformity with the law and uniformity in the activities of the Marriage Registries across the nation.