By
Abu-Ubaida Sani
And
Sumayya Yahaya
Marriage remains one of the most significant institutions in human society. Across cultures, it serves as a foundation for family stability, moral regulation, and social harmony. In African societies specifically, marriage is considered essential because it protects the morals of the people, discourages adultery and fornication, and promotes responsible living among couples (Yahaya, 2009). Within the Hausa folk of Northern Nigeria, the success of a family is widely understood to depend largely on the marital relationship between husband and wife—a relationship that itself hinges critically on the selection of a compatible spouse.
This book examines a fundamental question: What role does education play in the selection of marriage partners among Hausa communities?
Drawing on established scholarship, the authors note that selection of a marriage partner is one of the most important decisions individuals make during their lifetime. O'Neil (in Oguegbe & Onuecheta, 1995) explained that education is an important factor in marriage partner choice across many societies. Buss and Schmit (1993) found that women consistently express a preference for marriage partners who possess educational qualifications similar to their own. Similarly, Kalmijn (2001) revealed that college graduates prefer to marry fellow college graduates.
Against this theoretical backdrop, the book investigates the relationship between educational status and marriage partner selection specifically within the Hausa folk of Northern Nigeria. The study focuses on undergraduate students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto—a population uniquely positioned at the intersection of traditional marriage values and modern educational attainment.
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