Nigeria, March 5 -- This question comes up more often than you think.

Some couples, especially where parents or relatives oppose the union, decide to proceed with a statutory marriage at the registry. But what happens when no one agrees to stand as a witness?

Here is the legal position:

Under the Marriage Act in Nigeria, a valid statutory marriage must be conducted in the presence of at least two witnesses. This is not a cultural formality it is a legal requirement.

Without two witnesses:

The marriage does not comply with statutory provisions. It may be declared invalid. Parental consent is NOT required for adults. Witnesses do NOT have to be family members. They can be any competent adults.

Registry staff may serve as witnesses i...