THE Kebbi State House of Assembly has passed the Pre-Marital Medical Examination Bill 2025, making medical screening compulsory for all intending couples in the state.
The legislation, introduced by the House Committee on Health, successfully scaled through its first, second, and third readings before being adopted by Speaker Muhammad Usman.
Under the proposed law, couples planning to marry must undergo medical tests — including genotype and blood group screening — at accredited health facilities no later than three months and two weeks before their wedding.
A valid medical certificate issued by a licensed doctor would be a prerequisite for marriage formalisation.
The bill also prescribes penalties for violators.
Clerics, traditional rulers, or marriage officials who conduct weddings without verifying medical certificates face fines of up to ₦200,000 or a maximum of six months in prison.
Medical practitioners who issue falsified test results risk fines of ₦1 million or one year behind bars.
Implementation will be jointly supervised by the ministries of health and religious affairs in partnership with community leaders, while enforcement of offences will fall under the jurisdiction of the Chief Magistrates’ Courts and Shari’ah Courts.
The bill will now be forwarded to Governor Nasir Idris for assent.