Intending couples in Kebbi State may soon be required by law to undergo medical screening before marriage, following the passage of a new bill by the State House of Assembly.
The Pre-Marital Medical Examination Bill 2025, sponsored by the House Committee on Health, successfully scaled through its first, second, and third readings and was adopted during plenary by Speaker Muhammad Usman.
If the bill is signed into law, all couples planning to marry must take medical tests including genotype and blood group screening, at approved health facilities, no later than three months and two weeks before their wedding.
A valid medical certificate issued by a licensed medical doctor would become a mandatory requirement for formalizing any marriage in the state.
The bill also introduces strict penalties for non-compliance. Medical professionals who issue fake or falsified test results risk a ₦1 million fine or up to one year in prison.
Additionally, religious leaders, traditional rulers, or marriage registrars who proceed with weddings without verifying medical certificates may face a ₦200,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment.
The legislation aims to promote public health and reduce the incidence of preventable hereditary and communicable diseases among couples in the state.
