Abuja was thrown into the spotlight on Friday, February 6, after Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, held an unprecedented wedding ceremony where all ten of his children were married on the same day.
The historic event, which has since sparked widespread reactions online, took place at the National Mosque, Abuja, where wedding fatiha was conducted for five sons and five daughters, followed by a lavish reception at a nearby event hall.
Abuja Hosts Rare 10-in-1 Wedding Ceremony
The large-scale ceremony drew national and international attention due to its sheer size and the calibre of dignitaries in attendance. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally attended the event and formally received the brides on behalf of the Matawalle family.
Also present was the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, adding a diplomatic touch to the already high-profile celebration.
Top Political Figures Storm Event
Several prominent Nigerian political leaders were spotted at the ceremony, including:
- Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubril Barau
- Senior Special Assistant to the President, Ibrahim Masari
- Governors from Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kebbi States
Their presence further elevated the event, making it one of the most talked-about social gatherings in Abuja in recent times.
Meet the 10 Children Married the Same Day
The former Zamfara State governor gave away his daughters Maryam, Safiyya, Farida, Nana Firdausi, and Aisha, while his sons Ibrahim, Abdul Jalal, Surajo, Bello, and Fahad also tied the knot during the same ceremony.
The wedding was officiated by Professor Luqman Zakariyah, who offered prayers for the success, peace, and happiness of all ten couples, as well as blessings for their parents and grandparents.
Tinubu Acts as ‘Wali’
Following the event, Matawalle took to social media to publicly thank President Tinubu for serving as “Wali” (guardian) during the marriage rites, describing the President’s presence as an honour to his family.
Public Reactions and Controversy Trail Event
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the mass wedding stirred debate on social media. Some Nigerians questioned the timing of the President’s attendance, noting that a deadly terrorist attack in Kwara State had reportedly occurred just hours before the ceremony.
Nonetheless, the unprecedented scale of the weddings and the gathering of top political figures have cemented the Matawalle family ceremony as one of Nigeria’s most talked-about events of the year.
Watch the Video Below
Clips from the wedding ceremony are currently circulating online, capturing moments from the fatiha, the reception, and the arrival of dignitaries.
Minister of Defence(State), Bello Matawalle’s NINE children are having their wedding ceremony today.
President Tinubu is attending.
The wedding of his 9 children is happening at the National Mosque, Abuja
This is a new world record. https://t.co/enPduUaCil pic.twitter.com/xJkWBImKhJ
— Metro Naija (@metronaija) February 6, 2026
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