Introduction To Double-Decker Marriage in Nigeria
Your wedding day should be as unique as your love story. For countless couples in Nigeria, that story is beautifully told not just once, but twice or thrice, in a special kind of union known as the double-decker marriage in Nigeria. This heartwarming approach to getting married is a brilliant way to honor tradition while also embracing the modern world.
The double-decker marriage in Nigeria represents a fascinating blend of deep-rooted cultural values and modern legal requirements, offering couples the best of both worlds. In this article, we will explain what this type of marriage is all about, why people choose it, and what they should know about it.
Understanding the Double-decker Marriage in Nigeria
A double-decker marriage in Nigeria is a matrimonial arrangement where a couple, after completing their customary wedding rites (which involves the payment of dowry and a celebration with friends and family), proceeds to legalize their union under the Marriage Act. They do this at a marriage registry or a recognized place of worship, which then issues them a marriage certificate..
When couples opt for a double-decker marriage in Nigeria, they are essentially building their marital foundation on two pillars.
Benefits of a Double-decker Marriage in Nigeria
The decision to have a double-decker marriage in Nigeria is driven by several key benefits, which are:
- Cultural and Traditional Recognition: Many Nigerians value their native laws and customs. Consequently, they see a customary marriage as a way to honor and preserve their heritage.
- Legal Certainty: In addition, many couples also go into a statutory marriage after celebrating their traditional marriage. This gives them a marriage certificate, which provides legal certainty. For instance, official bodies often require the certificate for purposes like visa applications or changing names. This legal certainty is a key aspect of a double-decker marriage in Nigeria.
- Security: A statutory marriage is generally more difficult to dissolve than a customary one, which some couples see as a way to commit a spouse to the marriage. It also protects against bigamy.
- Property Benefits: Most couple, after the celebration of the traditional marriage, often resort to statutory marriage as it offers certain property benefits and inheritance rights, which are particularly important in a patriarchal society where customary laws may favor male heirs.
- Glamour: Sometimes, couple celebrate traditional wedding after the statutory wedding because of the glamour and big party. Traditional wedding is a lot of fun. It’s a chance to wear beautiful cultural clothes, dance, and celebrate with everyone you know.
Challenges of a double Decker Marriage in Nigeria.
While the double-decker marriage in Nigeria is a popular choice, it is not without its legal and social complexities. The Challenges that may occur in choosing a double decker marriage in Nigeria are:
a. Legal Confusion: This arrangement can cause confusion about which marriage supersedes the other, particularly in divorce cases. When parties contract both a traditional and statutory marriage together and need to dissolve the marriage, they may have to go to court. This begs the question: What happens to the traditional marriage that the parties contracted after the dissolution of the statutory marriage? While some scholars argue that the traditional marriage still subsists, others argue that the dissolution makes any previous marriage null and void.
b. Duplicity and Extravagance: The celebration of two separate marriages can be expensive and duplicative.
c. Misconceptions: Another challenge is the misconception that customary marriage is somehow “inferior” to statutory marriage. This is not true, as both are legally valid under Nigerian law. However, the legal weight of a marriage certificate in a double-decker marriage in Nigeria often overshadows the traditional ceremony in the eyes of many.
CONCLUSION
Making sure your union is legally sound is the most important thing when you get married. In essence, for legal protection, the official statutory marriage is what truly matters. The marriage registry issues the certificate for this marriage. However, a traditional ceremony is a beautiful way to honor your culture if you want to be traditionally bound. Therefore, a double-decker marriage in Nigeria gives you both legal and cultural recognition.
CONTRIBUTORS
Lead Partner EKO SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES
Counsel EKO SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES
Counsel EKO SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES