The Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has urged Nigerian families to rethink the growing culture of extravagant wedding spending.
The traditional ruler made the appeal during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Crystal Muslim Organisation (CMO) in Abuja on Sunday.
Moreover, the emir warned that excessive spending on wedding ceremonies, especially on makeup and aso-ebi, sends the wrong message at a time when many families struggle to meet basic needs. He stressed that giving back to society should be given greater priority than expensive celebrations.
Speaking at the event, Bamalli expressed concern over what he described as wasteful spending by some wealthy families.
According to him, “You will see our people spending millions of Naira for just cosmetics if a girl is getting married… some crazy parents spend up to $10,000 for this makeup… or buy asoebi for half a million Naira, N200,000 or N300,000, which is totally unacceptable as far as I am concerned.”
He noted that such spending contrasts sharply with the reality faced by many vulnerable Nigerians.
Furthermore, the emir encouraged parents to direct their resources toward charity, community support, and helping those who cannot afford basic necessities.
He added, “There are so many people on the streets that cannot even feed three square meals in a day… I have never invested a dime in buying asoebi or cosmetics for girls getting married.”
According to the traditional ruler, moderation should guide wedding celebrations, especially during difficult economic times.
He said, “We don’t need such things, given the current situation in the country.”
Meanwhile, Bamalli urged Nigerians to embrace values that promote self-reliance, compassion, and unity.
He explained that strengthening communities requires more than lavish ceremonies. Instead, people should invest in activities that improve lives and create opportunities for others.
In addition, the emir highlighted the importance of practical education for young Nigerians.
He called for vocational and technical skills to be integrated into both Western and Islamic education systems.
According to him, graduates should leave school with skills that can help them earn a living or establish small businesses.
He believes such an approach would reduce unemployment while encouraging entrepreneurship among young people.
Therefore, investing in practical skills would provide long-term benefits for individuals and the wider society.
Many families have increasingly faced pressure to organize expensive ceremonies despite economic challenges.
However, the emir argued that meaningful celebrations do not have to be defined by high costs.
Instead, he encouraged Nigerians to balance celebration with generosity and social responsibility.
Consequently, his message serves as a reminder that supporting vulnerable people can create a greater impact than lavish displays of wealth.
