Bichi, in Kano State, came to a standstill on 20 August 2021. Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, married Zahra Bayero, daughter of the Emir of Bichi, in a wedding attended by a sitting president, two former ones and a neighbouring head of state.
Two prominent families
Yusuf is the son of Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha Buhari. Zahra Nasir Ado Bayero, an architecture graduate of the University of Brighton, is the daughter of Nasir Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, and granddaughter of the long-serving Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero. Reports of the engagement surfaced in March 2021.
The solemnisation
The wedding was solemnised at about 2pm, after Friday prayers, at the Emir of Bichi’s palace. Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami, then Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, conducted the rites. Mamman Daura stood in for the groom and paid the bride price of N500,000 to Aminu Dantata, who represented the bride’s family.
Guests included President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, the Ooni of Ife and governors from both major parties. Reports of the private jets landing at Kano airport ranged from more than 20 to more than 70.
A weekend of ceremonies
The next day, Zahra’s father was formally installed as Emir of Bichi, and the celebrations ran into the weekend. Hotels in Kano were fully booked, and the wedding became one of the most covered Nigerian weddings of 2021.