PHOTOS: Defence Minister Matawalle’s 10 Children Tie the Knot in Historic Same-Day Wedding Extravaganza in Abuja

In a dazzling display of family unity and northern hospitality that has set social media ablaze, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, on Friday, February 6, 2026, gave out 10 of his children in marriage during a grand joint ceremony at the iconic National Mosque in Abuja. The unprecedented event, which unfolded over a six-day wedding marathon blending traditional Hausa customs with modern flair, drew an elite guest list including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, turning the occasion into nothing short of a national spectacle.

As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, the minister, a former governor of Zamfara State and a key ally in President Tinubu’s administration, had teased the elaborate preparations weeks in advance. What started as whispers of a nine-child nuptial affair ballooned into a full-blown celebration for 10 siblings—five daughters and five sons—leaving guests and onlookers in awe of the Matawalle clan’s scale and splendor.

The wedding fatiha, the solemn Islamic marriage rite, kicked off the day’s festivities at the National Mosque, where the air was thick with recitations from the Holy Quran and the scent of attar perfume. Matawalle proudly gave away his daughters—Maryam, Safiyya, Farida, Nana Firdausi, and Aisha—to their respective grooms in a ceremony that symbolized blessings upon blessings. Not to be outdone, his five sons—Ibrahim, Abdul Jalal, Surajo, Bello, and Fahad—also exchanged vows with their brides, all under one roof in a rare show of synchronized matrimonial joy.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as “a wedding carnival fit for royalty,” with the mosque’s expansive courtyard transformed into a sea of gele headties, flowing agbadas, and shimmering ankara outfits. President Tinubu, who arrived in style aboard a convoy that briefly halted Abuja’s traffic, personally received the brides on behalf of the Matawalle family, a gesture that underscored the deep bonds of loyalty between the defence chief and the presidency. Joining him was São Tomé and Príncipe’s leader, Carlos Vila Nova, alongside a constellation of Nigerian heavyweights: Deputy Senate President Senator Jubril Barau; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Politics, Ibrahim Masari; and governors from the North—Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), and Nasir Idris (Kebbi).

The officiating Imam, Professor Luqman Zakariyah, delivered a poignant sermon, invoking divine favour on the newlyweds while extending prayers to President Tinubu’s administration. “May Allah bless these unions with peace, prosperity, and piety. May He restore hope to our nation under President Tinubu’s leadership, just as He unites families like the Matawalles in unbreakable harmony,” the Imam intoned, his words met with resounding “Ameen” from the congregation.

Post-fatiha, the entourage moved to a sprawling reception hall where the real feast unfolded: platters of tuwo shinkafa, kilishi, and mounds of jollof rice that could feed an army—fitting, perhaps, for a defence minister’s bash. Music from ace northern artists like Fati Niger and Dan Maraya Jos blared through the night, with guests swaying to the rhythms of kano wedding beats. Social media erupted with clips and photos, trending under #MatawalleMassWedding and #10KidsOneDay, as Nigerians hailed the event’s logistical wizardry and cultural pride.

For the uninitiated, Matawalle’s family is no stranger to the spotlight. The 58-year-old politician, sworn in as Minister of State for Defence in August 2023, has long been a polarizing yet influential figure in Nigerian politics—championed for his anti-banditry stance in Zamfara and critiqued for his defection from the PDP to the APC. This wedding, however, painted him in a softer light: a doting father orchestrating a legacy of love amid the corridors of power.

NaijaChoice News gathered exclusive glimpses into the joyous chaos, capturing the brides’ radiant henna-adorned hands and the grooms’ sharp kaftans. Scroll below for our photo gallery that brings the magic to life.

The Matawalle daughters, resplendent in custom aso-oke gowns, share a laugh moments before the fatiha.

President Tinubu beams as he embraces one of the brides during the reception handover.

A panoramic view of the National Mosque courtyard, alive with dignitaries and well-wishers.

As the echoes of this epic union fade, one thing is clear: in Nigeria’s high-stakes world of politics and pageantry, family remains the ultimate power play. Congratulations to the Matawalle 10—may your homes be filled with laughter, your tables with bounty, and your lives with endless baraka.

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