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Idongesit Ashameri
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has begun moves to curb exorbitant bride prices and costly traditional marriage requirements, saying marriage should not become a financial burden that keeps young couples apart.
The lawmakers have therefore called on the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council to review and standardise bride prices and marriage requirements across communities, amid growing concerns that the rising cost of customary marriages is discouraging many young people from formalising their unions.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Hon. Selinah Ukpatu, who warned that excessive bride prices and inflated marriage lists have turned what should be a cultural celebration into an economic challenge for many families.
Leading debate on the motion, Ukpatu stressed that while the state’s cultural heritage must be preserved, traditional marriage should not be commercialised.
“The varying and often excessive marriage lists demanded in some communities discourage many young people from formalising their unions according to tradition.” She said
According to her, harmonising marriage requirements across communities would ease the financial burden on intending couples, promote family stability and encourage more people to fulfil customary marriage rites without undue hardship.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and urged the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to work with traditional institutions and local government councils to ensure compliance with approved guidelines.
Lawmakers also directed the House Committee on Culture and Tourism to engage stakeholders and develop recommendations for affordable and culturally acceptable marriage practices.
In addition, the Assembly mandated the Ministry of Information and the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) to embark on sustained public enlightenment campaigns on the social and economic consequences of excessive bride prices.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, described the motion as timely, saying it addressed an issue with far-reaching social and economic implications.
He commended members for their contributions and directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, to communicate the Assembly’s resolutions to the relevant authorities for implementation.
The Assembly’s intervention comes against the backdrop of renewed public calls for the enforcement and review of the Akwa Ibom State Limitation of Dowry Law, 2000, which prescribes limits for dowry and other marriage-related payments.
Although the law fixed dowry and incidental marriage expenses at N200,000 when it was enacted, many are or the opinion that poor public awareness and weak enforcement have rendered it largely ineffective.
The latest move by the Assembly has therefore reignited conversations on the need to update the law to reflect present-day economic realities while protecting families from excessive financial demands associated with traditional marriages.
For many residents, the debate goes beyond the cost of marriage. It is about preserving culture without creating the impression that Akwa Ibom daughters are commodities to be bought and sold.
