Amid rising economic challenges in the country, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, has advised men with limited financial resources to marry only one wife to ensure they can properly care for their families.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 30th Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) annual Ramadan lecture, the monarch expressed concern over how polygamy is destabilizing families due to the inability of men to fulfill their responsibilities.
He emphasized that while Islam permits polygamy, not all men are financially or emotionally equipped to support multiple wives and children.
“In the palace alone, there are 192 families living within. Some men have over 50 children—how can they possibly provide for them?” he questioned.
The emir also called for a review of the Islamiyya education curriculum to include the Islamic rights of girls, stressing that such reforms could help improve societal values.
Furthermore, he criticized the judicial system for worsening social problems, citing the case of a young woman sentenced to two years in prison over a debt of just N6,000.
“The day I visited the prison, I had only N200,000 with me, but I was able to secure the release of eight people,” he revealed.
He added that the palace continues to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to address issues related to marriage, inheritance, and land disputes, noting that these are among the primary causes of family breakdowns.
In her remarks, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, urged religious leaders to remind men of their responsibilities.
“Our Ulama must encourage men to take charge of their duties at home, as we have observed that many women are now shouldering responsibilities that should be handled by their husbands,” she stated.
