Claim: A viral video claims that the Sokoto State Government and Hisbah have banned wedding gifts and gatherings involving men and women for both Muslims and Christians in the state.
Verdict: Misleading. Although Sokoto Hisbah has announced restrictions on specific marriage-related practices, DUBAWA found that the restrictions do not apply to Christians.
Full Text
On Aug. 13, 2026, an X user shared a video urging Nigerians to watch it, claiming that it confirmed concerns raised in a previous video about the future of Christianity in Nigeria.
The video (archived here) features a man who did not identify himself discussing what he described as new Hisbah restrictions in Sokoto State.
In the video, he claims that there are no longer marriage gifts, DJs or mixed gatherings involving men and women in Sokoto State. He also claims that the restrictions apply to both Muslims and Christians, alleging that Christians can no longer hold mixed-gender gatherings or worship together in churches.
The man further presents the alleged restrictions as part of what he describes as a wider Islamisation agenda, arguing that the enforcement of Sharia law in Sokoto is the beginning of an effort that could eventually spread to other parts of Northern Nigeria and the southern regions.
The video appeared to anger most users who commented on the post, with some criticising the alleged restrictions and expressing concerns about their implications for religious freedom.
One X user, (@kaderkingpin91), who identified himself as a Muslim, wrote, “Hisba is an infringement on fundamental Islamic law. Nowhere in the Quran must everybody follow Islamic law. In fact, Quran chapter 2 emphatically states, No compulsion in Islam.”
Another user, Dapsie (@Dapsijaiye), expressed concern about what they described as a long-term Islamisation agenda. He wrote, “The problem with Nigerian Christians is that they think in the short term. Islamisation is a long-term project, and what this man is saying is not going to happen in 5 years.”
Daniel (@Sir_Willoh) also expressed anger over the claim, asking why leaders were silent.
“This is really getting me angry. Why are the leaders silent? Why do we have a foreign law in our land? Even those in the ME don’t do this? Who are the sponsors of these laws?” he questioned.
As of Aug. 21, 2026, the post had generated 101,400 views, 1,700 reposts and 202 replies.
Given the religious and political implications of the claims and the high level of engagement they attracted, DUBAWA investigated them.
Verification
DUBAWA reviewed the claims made in the video and searched for reports and statements from the Sokoto State Hisbah Board and other relevant sources.
The investigation found that the viral video was based on a real directive from the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, but it presented the restrictions more broadly than the available evidence would support.
Sokoto did not ban all wedding gifts
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board announced restrictions on some marriage-related practices and excessive spending.
On July 27, 2026, Hisbah Commander Usman Abdullahi announced restrictions on practices including ‘Na Gani In So’, a marriage-introduction custom involving the presentation of gifts such as soft drinks, bottled water, biscuits, sweets and kola nuts.
The board also warned against excessive bridal gifts, commonly known as lefe.
In a video posted on Facebook by the board’s media aide, Isha Rufa’i, the commander said the restrictions are part of efforts to reduce excessive spending associated with marriage ceremonies.
However, he does not state that all wedding gifts have been prohibited.
Therefore, the claim that Sokoto has banned wedding gifts altogether is misleading.
Is there a restriction on mixed-gender gatherings?
The Hisbah Board also announced restrictions on mixed-gender gatherings in entertainment settings, particularly those associated with weddings and other social celebrations.
Reports of the July directive listed mixed-gender entertainment gatherings among the practices prohibited by the board.
However, the directive does not impose a blanket prohibition on all gatherings involving men and women.
The restrictions reported by the Hisbah concern specified social and entertainment activities and are framed within the religious and moral regulations enforced by the board.
The restrictions do not apply to Christians
The claim that the restrictions apply to both Muslims and Christians is false.
Hisbah Commander, Usman Abdullahi, told DUBAWA that the laws enforced by the board are intended for Muslims.
“We make laws for Muslims and not any other religion,” he clarified.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Sokoto State, Kayode James, also said Christians in the state were not affected by the directive.
He added that he received several calls from Christians seeking clarification over the issue.
Conclusion
The claim that the Sokoto State Government and Hisbah have imposed a ban on wedding gifts and mixed-gender gatherings for both Muslims and Christians is misleading.
This fact-check is produced under the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Northwest ONSIT Fellowship with support from the European Union.