The Nigerian government has introduced a new Federal Marriage Certificate for all types of marriages in the country.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, disclosed this on Wednesday at a stakeholders conference on the conduct of statutory marriage in Abuja.

She said existing couples who do not have their certificate issued by the Ministry of Interior are advised to visit the ministry’s website to re-certify their marriage certificates.

According to Mrs Ehuriah, not all places of worship are permitted to conduct marriages. She advised Nigerians to ensure that their marriages are conducted in places licensed by the Ministry of Interior.

“This is for the marriage to be credible and registered in the National database of legally certified marriages,” she said.

“If the certificate is not printed and delivered by the principal registrar of marriages, then it is illegal and can not serve the desired purpose”, she said.

“Arrangements are ongoing for couples whose certificates were not issued in line with the Marriage Act of opportunity to bring them to conformity.”

Speaking on the benefits of the certificate, Mrs Ehuriah said it will be recognised by all foreign embassies during visa application.

She advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accept the certificate for the guidance of foreign embassies in Nigeria and Nigerian missions aboard.

Ms Ehuriah said conducting marriages by places of worship not duly licensed by the ministry will be considered a breach of the Marriage Act.


“Presently, only about 4,689 licensed places of worship in Nigeria have updated their records with the Ministry of Interior; 314 have renewed their licenses to conduct statutory marriages,” she said.

She said the ministry is building a database for all statutory marriages conducted in Nigeria.

“It has also developed a database for all places of worship licensed for celebration of marriages ”

This will enable the ministry to be in a good position to respond to enquiries from various interested parties from within and outside Nigeria, Mrs Ehuriah said.


She said documentation process for the licensing of places of worship has been automated to facilitate submission of application for licenses by interested places of worship.

“Administrators of places of worship are encouraged to meet the requirements to satisfy their members.”

She said government at all levels has the responsibility of ensuring the sanctity of marriage by supporting any initiative aimed at promoting compliance with the Act.

The director, citizenship and business at the ministry, Stephen Okon, said it is important to educate the public on the key requirements of the Marriage Act.

“Sometimes citizens are denied their rights because of the manner their certificates of marriage was documented”, he said

He said Nigerians do not conduct statutory marriage even after traditional and church marriage “despite the growing popularity of Registry marriage”.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/342672-nigeria-introduces-new-federal-marriage-certificate.html

▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫

Ok

Pray, will the introduction of the new marriage certificate curb the extremely high rate of divorce cases, adultery/infidelity, broken homes, verbal and physical abuses inflicted by partners upon each other, etc?
Maybe there's something that I don't know. But who cares?

Hmmm! !!

New certificate on top Nigerian marriages wey no dey last pass cigar...

How is this even an issue with all the many many problems we have presently as a country??

I hope this will have a positive impact on the couple though ....

Misplaced priorities.. . ....from international passport to marriage certificate !!!

Another move to give Fulanis from West Africa citizenship in Nigeria. We all Know their plans. All ldea is to give West African Fulanis citizenship.

Ruga and amendment of Land Use act still the same

I believe its high time the government looked into population growth and see how to slow it down drastically. The rate is currently not sustainable and we are heading towards a crisis at this rate. That should be the priority, not marriage certificate nonsense.

Good to know.

Useless government

Instead of finding ways to limit the population growth

When there is no job you are doing marriage certificate

She said the ministry is building a database for all statutory marriages conducted in Nigeria.
It has also developed a database for all places of worship licensed for celebration of marriages ”

So we have no database for All statutory marriages conducted in Nigeria prior now?!
Ordinary database?
See Giant of Africa o!
The evil and corrupt politicians only interest was to steal, raped and stole our National treasury for 16 years.
May they will never end well in life.

What a misplaced priority.... From international passport to marriage certificate!!!

KidsNEXTdoor:
Useless government

Instead of finding ways to limit the population growth

Kiddo, this thread is not for you,
You are still a kid as your moniker implies.
Go play with your under 15's.
This thread is for people of marriageable age.

Now, go and return mommy's phone, sleep and STOP wailing,
It's late!
Good boy.

We just found another kid also..saying the same thing!

Shezkid01

So na new federal marriage certificate dem fit offer.
This country only God fit save us

Kids everywhere on Nairaland!
Putting mouth for adult matter!

Shezkid01:
Ah
So na new federal marriage certificate dem fit offer rn
This country only God fit save us

before nko, that's a good step in the right direction

Na this one be our problem now,nobody is talking about killing the devil destroying the country so that we can rest.

OK oh, so all the village papas and mamas should go come do marriage certificate.
Endtime marriage

Do registry / court wedding at your own risk.

See country wey dem born me put...








Anyways, my duty on nairaland is to frustrate that jobless dead BBQ seller life until she minimize her time on nairaland.

Traditional marriage is the major form of marriage in nigeria.
Does it require the federal certificate?

But i just got married yesterday, do i qualify to still get the certificate? I don't want me and my new wife to have issues with this please.

Up Buhari!!!

...