In Nigeria, marriage is an important tradition, and part of it is the payment of bride price. Some people believe that bride price should not be more than 60 Naira, but in reality, many families ask for a lot more through something called the list.
This list includes money, gifts, and other marriage requirements, making weddings very expensive. But is this practice fair? Is it even legal? In this article, we will discuss what the law says about bride price and whether these extra costs are a form of fraud.
Bride price is the money or gift a groom gives to the bride’s family before marriage. In some states, there is a rule that bride price should not be more than 60 Naira. This rule was created to stop families from using marriage to make money.
However, even though the bride price is low, many families ask for more money through the list, which includes extra gifts and payments. This makes marriage very expensive and difficult for many young men.
"The list" is a set of things the groom must provide before he can marry his bride. This list is different in each tribe but usually includes:
Money for the bride’s parents, uncles, and elders
Goats, cows, or chickens
Drinks like beer and palm wine
Food items like rice, yam, and salt
Clothes and jewelry for the bride’s mother
Sometimes, expensive things like motorcycles or sewing machines
These items can cost hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of Naira. Some men take loans to pay for them, putting them in debt before marriage even starts.
Nigerian law does not support the idea of forcing people to pay too much for marriage. The Nigerian Constitution says people should not be cheated or forced to do things that are unfair.
In some places, like Anambra State, the government has tried to stop families from asking for too much. Other states are also thinking about making similar rules.
Many people say bride price and marriage rites are part of Nigerian culture and should be respected. They believe that these traditions show appreciation for the bride’s family.
However, others feel that these traditions have changed from what they used to be. Instead of being about love and respect, marriage has now become a business deal. This makes it hard for many young people to get married.
