Why are powerful and wealthy Nigerians marrying each other?

shakirudeen taiwo

June 12, 2017 1:50 PM

Just like every other marriage of the powerful, the union of their children is now a major tool used by the rich and socially influential families to protect their political and commercial interests.

The First family and the Indimi during their children's wedding

Marriage has been considered of great cultural importance, as sometimes it is used as a diplomacy tool, especially during war or conflict situation.

In Asian and many of the Middle-East countries where visible social class system exists, marriages are usually between families with equal wealth, power and social class.

In Nigeria and many African countries, it is one practice of marriage which is not considered though happens scarcely.

In recent time, high-class weddings in Nigeria has been noted to be a specific class of people. Alhaji Muhammad Indimi, Founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy is noted to have had more of this.

The Northern aristocrat and his family has been notable for marrying into the first families of the country, starting with giving one of his daughters to Mohammed Abacha and the recent wedding between one of his sons and Zahra Buhari, the last daughter of the Nigerian sitting president.

Similarly, the wedding two daughters of late Umaru Musa Yar Adua to two sitting Governors – one during his reign and the other after his death, may lay credence to the practice of powerful wedding in the northern part of the country.

But, what would the wedding between the children of two powerful politicians in the South-West Nigeria be described? This is the question on everyone’s lips as the children of Senator Ibikunle Amosun – Governor of Ogun State and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Relations and Diaspora, are set to tie the nuptial knot.

With the reputation of both families, the wedding is expected to be filled with political and business heavyweights in the country.

It is now a norm for the wealthy and influential to closely monitor and choose school, social gathering as well as professional which would serve their commercial or political interest. A recent discussion with a family member of one the influential families in Nigeria, pictured a deliberate strategy by families to ensure their children are friends of people within their social class.

A relatively middle income family also confirmed to me that one of the reasons they choose the school their child attends is mainly to meet and make friends with members of these influential families in Nigeria.

Just like every other marriage of the powerful we have witnessed recently in the country, are they just for love or a confirmation of opinion in the political and business circles that marriage is now a major tool used by the rich and socially influential families to protect their political and commercial interests.

shakirudeen taiwo

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