Nigerians don’t come last when it comes to organizing lively, spectacular, and highly enjoyable weddings. From jaw-dropping decorations to stunning aso-ebi textiles and top-notch performances, these gatherings are always “parte after parte.”
It’s an opportunity for everyone to shine, set trends, and enjoy themselves. You will see elegant ladies and aunties wearing theatrical geles (head ties) and various aso-ebi fashions, demonstrating how creative and expressive Nigerians are.
Aside from the fun, weddings are also a great display of money, with families banding together to create grand, expensive celebrations for their children.In this post, we will analyze the five most costly weddings in Nigeria, which set the standard for other luxury weddings.
Here are the five most costly weddings held in Nigeria:
1. Fatima Dangote and Jamil Abubakar
In 2018, Jamil Muhammed Abubakar, son of former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, married Fatima Dangote, daughter of billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, in a three-day fairy-tale wedding across four cities: Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos.
The eight-part event began in Kaduna, with the bride’s mother hosting a supper to kick things off.
The wedding Fatiha was held in Kano, with President Muhammadu Buhari serving as the bride’s guardian and officiating the ceremony.
Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, also officiated at the Islamic marriage ceremony. The groom’s family then held a dinner reception in Abuja, followed by a spectacular finale in Lagos, where Aliko Dangote treated guests to a lavish banquet at the Eko Convention Centre.
This high-profile wedding was a tremendous celebration of love that caused a stir on social media, with the hashtag #Famil2018 trending as photographs of the event spread.
Notable dignitaries that attended the lavish event included Bill Gates, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Nana Akufo-Addo.
2. Halima Babagida and Auwal Lawal
In May 2017, Halima Babangida, daughter of former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, married Auwal Lawal in a spectacular wedding attended by Nigeria’s elite.
According to reports, more than 24 private jets arrived at Minna’s airport, carrying dignitaries for the high-profile event.
The wedding reception was hosted in Ibrahim Babangida’s El-Amin International School in Minna, with a classy, heavenly-themed design accented with gold.
The reception hall was embellished with shimmering crystal strings and white paper clouds suspended from the ceiling, while Grecian ornaments and glass centrepieces gave refinement to the decor.
The cake was surrounded by a bed of flowers and candles, providing a lovely setting. Guests had a lavish dining experience, with gold-plated flatware and Versace plates reserved for the bride and groom’s table.
Nigerian celebrities such as Funke Akindele, Wande Coal, and Mr Eazi attended the event, adding to its grandeur.
3. Zahra Buhari and Ahmed Indimi
Zahra Buhari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, married Ahmed Indimi, son of Nigerian tycoon Muhammed Indimi, in a lavish wedding ceremony held in three states: the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Borno, and Maiduguri, in 2016.
The wedding event had a “Royalty” theme and exemplified the elegance and grandeur it promised.
Zahra reportedly got expensive Louis Vuitton boxes from the Indimi family in the run-up to the wedding, adding to the already lavish occasion.
4. Folarin Alakija and Nazanin Jafarian
Folarin Alakija, one of the four sons of oil magnate Folorunsho Alakija, married Iranian-born Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar in a grandiose wedding ceremony at Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Palace.
This wedding, which cost over £5 million, made headlines in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom! The venue alone cost over £150,000, and they spent about £200,000 on a custom marquee and marble floors.
Each guest’s lunch cost around £52. Their stunning eight-tier cake was valued at up to £10,000, while the breathtaking flowers cost over £200,000.
In true Nigerian flair, no cost was spared to ensure the couple’s wedding was beautiful and unforgettable.
5. Yusuf Buhari and Zahra Nasir Bayero
President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf Buhari, married Zahrah, the daughter of Bichi’s Emir, Nasiru Ado Bayero, in 2021.
The wedding drew a large number of significant guests, including Nigerian elites who arrived in private planes at Kano airport. President Buhari is alleged to have formed a 145-member committee to help arrange the event.
Even though the wedding was cut back, numerous high-profile guests attended, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Niger’s former President Mohammadou Issoufou, and Fatama Bah Barrow.
