By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, has called on Nigerians to abandon the culture of extravagant spending on weddings, particularly on expensive makeup and aso-ebi, urging families to channel such resources towards supporting the less privileged and other charitable causes.
The monarch made the appeal on Sunday at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Crystal Muslim Organisation (CMO) in Abuja, where he expressed concern over what he described as excessive wedding expenses at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship.
Bamalli said it was difficult to justify spending millions of naira on ceremonies while millions of citizens struggled to afford basic necessities.
“You will see our people spending millions of Naira for just cosmetics if a girl is getting married. Some crazy parents spend up to $10,000 for this makeup or buy aso-ebi for half a million Naira, N200,000 or N300,000, which is totally unacceptable as far as I am concerned,” he said.
The first-class traditional ruler lamented that the growing culture of lavish weddings had placed unnecessary financial pressure on families, despite the worsening economic realities confronting many households.
He said wealth should be deployed to uplift vulnerable members of society rather than fund displays of opulence that add little lasting value.
“There are so many people on the streets that cannot even feed three square meals in a day. I have never invested a dime in buying aso-ebi or cosmetics for girls getting married,” he added.
Bamalli urged Nigerians to embrace modest ceremonies and redirect their priorities towards compassion, social responsibility and community development.
“We don’t need such things, given the current situation in the country,” the Emir said.
He stressed that acts of charity and investments in initiatives that improve the lives of others would have a far greater impact than lavish celebrations.
Beyond his call for moderation in social spending, the Emir advocated reforms in the country’s education system, urging policymakers to strengthen vocational and entrepreneurial training in both conventional and Islamic schools.
According to him, equipping young people with practical and marketable skills would enhance self-reliance, reduce unemployment and create more opportunities for wealth creation.
He noted that education should not only prepare students for academic success but also provide them with the capacity to establish businesses and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Emir said empowering young Nigerians with employable skills remains one of the most sustainable ways of tackling poverty and fostering economic growth.
His remarks come amid growing public concern over the rising cost of living, with many religious and traditional leaders urging Nigerians to adopt more modest lifestyles and prioritise investments that improve livelihoods and strengthen social welfare.