The House of Representatives is working on a new law that will require couples to undergo genotype tests before getting a marriage certificate. This move is aimed at reducing the spread of sickle cell disease and other genetic disorders, which affect many families and put a strain on the healthcare system.
The bill, introduced by Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), passed its first reading in the House. It specifies that only health facilities approved by the Federal Ministry of Health or other designated authorities can carry out these tests. The results must then be submitted to the marriage registry before a certificate can be issued.
Under the proposed law, any marriage registry that issues a certificate without proof of genotype testing could face fines of up to N500,000 or a one-year prison sentence. Health facilities found guilty of providing fake test results could be fined up to N1 million or face up to two years in jail.
The goal of the bill is to ensure couples know their genetic compatibility before marriage, helping to prevent avoidable health challenges. A similar proposal was made in the previous assembly but did not succeed.
