Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said governments operating under Shariah law should use public funds to support marriage arrangements for people who cannot afford to marry.

Gumi made the position known in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, arguing that governments in Shariah-governed societies have a responsibility to address social challenges arising from restrictions on sexual relationships outside marriage.

The cleric said government assistance with marriage should be considered part of responsible governance, particularly in societies where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by religious principles and state laws.

He argued that public resources could legitimately be used to assist young people facing financial difficulties in getting married, as well as women who have limited opportunities to find suitable spouses.

“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” Gumi wrote.

His comments come amid ongoing debates over the role of government in addressing social and economic challenges affecting marriage and family life in parts of Nigeria.