The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has come out to reiterate FG’s commitment to ensuring the good conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria.

He recently revealed this at the 2021 National Stakeholders’ Conference on the Administration of Statutory Marriage in Abuja.

According to him, this move is very compulsory because of the prevailing challenges associated with marriages in the country.

He added that the ministry is responsible for the conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria, as well as licensing of public places of worship for the celebration of statutory marriages.

His words, “This conference is one of many more to come, aimed at continuously educating and informing the public on the importance of statutory marriages and the statutorily recognised Certificate of Marriage (FORM E).”

“The conference is to also inform stakeholders about various innovations in the administration of statutory marriages and to provide a platform for a robust exchange of ideas that will promote the institution of marriage.”

“The Marriage Act, which was originally enacted in 1914 by the British colonial masters, is the legislation that provides the procedures for the conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria.”

“However, the Act has been amended several times with the latest version being 2004.”

“It is my utmost pleasure, therefore, to inform you about one of the major achievements of the ministry, which is the successful review of the contents of the 2nd Schedule to the Marriage Act known as the Legal Notices.”

“The review has brought the Legal Notices in conformity with the present administrative and political realities in Nigeria, while the amendment of other sections of the Marriage Act is ongoing.”