Defence Minister Bello Matawalle Marries Off 10 Children in Ceremony Attended by Presidents, Dignitaries

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, married off ten of his children, five daughters and five sons, in a single ceremony in Abuja on Friday. The wedding fatiha was held at the National Mosque and attended by President Bola Tinubu, who served as the Wali (guardian) for the bride, and the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova.

Other dignitaries included the Deputy Senate President, state governors, and senior presidential aides. The officiating Imam, Prof. Luqman Zakariyah, offered prayers for the couple’s success. The event has drawn mixed public reactions, with some Nigerians criticizing President Tinubu’s attendance, which occurred on the same day as a terrorist massacre in Kwara State that left scores dead.

Key Points

The unprecedented scale of the ceremony highlights the social and political influence of the minister.
The attendance of two sitting presidents underscores the high-level political networks and stature of the Matawalle family.
The event has sparked public debate about leadership priorities, contrasting the celebratory gathering with a national tragedy.
It reflects the cultural and religious significance of large family ceremonies within Nigeria’s political elite.
The timing has inadvertently placed the private celebration in direct juxtaposition with a pressing national security crisis.

While the wedding was a significant personal and social event for the Matawalle family, its timing and the prominence of attendees have fueled a broader public conversation about empathy and leadership focus.

Sources: Event Coverage, Social Media Commentary.

Five sisters married on the same day.

One big venue was used for their wedding ceremony.

This is the first of its kind pic.twitter.com/lSJUeplpwQ

— Metro Naija (@metronaija) February 6, 2026