The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it generated approximately N2.4 billion in 2024 from marriage contracts processed through the Ministry of Interior’s Marriage Registry. This marks a significant increase in revenue for the government, highlighting the growing interest in formalizing marital unions through official channels.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the surge in registrations is attributed to increased public awareness of the benefits of legal marriage documentation, as well as streamlined processes aimed at making the marriage registration experience more accessible and efficient for Nigerian citizens.
The N2.4 billion generated reflects the fees collected for marriage certificates, documentation, and other related services provided by the Marriage Registry. The Ministry also noted that the revenue generated will be reinvested into further enhancing the operations of the registry, improving public service delivery, and expanding digital registration platforms to reach more citizens across the country.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the marriage registration process remains transparent, inclusive, and easily accessible to all Nigerians. In light of this, the Ministry of Interior is set to roll out additional reforms in the coming months to encourage more citizens to formalize their unions, in line with the government’s broader efforts to strengthen social welfare systems and improve national record-keeping.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, emphasized that this initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to improve the integrity of public records and enhance the country’s socio-legal framework. He stated, "The increase in marriage registrations not only brings in much-needed revenue but also helps ensure that marriages are legally recognized, which has far-reaching benefits for the protection of rights, welfare, and inheritance."
The Ministry further highlighted that the revenue generated contributes to the government's commitment to improving public services and bolstering the nation's economic development.