Nigeria has entered a new era of billionaire weddings. But instead of celebrating at home, these high-society unions are unfolding abroad, draining billions of naira out of the country.
In less than three months, two major weddings, Temi Otedola’s union with Afrobeat star Mr Eazi and Davido’s marriage to Chioma Rowland, have cost a staggering $18.7 million (₦28.46 billion at today’s ₦1,522/$ exchange rate). Almost all of it was spent outside Nigeria.
While the glitz and spectacle dazzled millions on social media, economists warn the costs highlight deeper issues: capital flight, misplaced priorities, and how Nigerian wealth is increasingly showcased abroad instead of strengthening the local economy.
Temi & Mr Eazi’s Wedding: Africa’s Most Expensive Celebration
Nigeria’s fourth-richest man, Femi Otedola, reportedly spent $15 million (₦22.83 billion) to give his youngest daughter, Temi, what is now confirmed as the most expensive wedding in African history.
This was no ordinary ceremony. The couple staged a global trilogy across three continents in 2025:
- Monaco – A civil ceremony on May 9 at Karl Lagerfeld’s Villa La Vigie. The date honoured Mr Eazi’s late mother’s birthday. Temi wore a custom Wiederhoeft bridal suit, while Mr Eazi kept it sleek in Louis Vuitton embroidered with the words “Love is Easy”.
- Dubai – A flamboyant traditional engagement that felt like Lagos had moved to the Gulf. Guests feasted on amala, egusi with snails, and jollof rice. Nigerian music legend King Sunny Adé lit up the night, turning Dubai into a global owambe.
- Iceland – The fairytale finale. The vows took place at Hallgrimskirkja Church, followed by a glass-tent reception on volcanic cliffs. Fashion defined the night, from Temi’s Fendi gown to Mr Eazi’s Saint Laurent suit. A surprise performance by John Legend under the Northern Lights sealed the union in cinematic style.
Temi dazzled in Zac Posen, Lisa Folawiyo, and Oscar de la Renta. Mr Eazi mixed Saint Laurent with Nigerian designers like Baba Jagne. Together, they turned the wedding into a rolling fashion show.
Until now, Africa’s most expensive wedding was by oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija, who spent $5 million on her son’s London wedding. Otedola’s $15 million affair tripled that figure, raising the bar for elite celebrations.
Davido & Chioma’s Miami Wedding: ₦5.63 Billion Abroad
Just weeks before Temi and Eazi’s Icelandic finale, another headline wedding rocked social media. On August 10, 2025, Afrobeat superstar Davido and his long-time partner Chioma Rowland wed in Miami’s Little Havana.
The ceremony cost an estimated $3.7 million (₦5.63 billion). Guests enjoyed designer outfits, premium champagne, and luxury rentals. Miami’s halls and villas, some priced at hundreds of dollars per hour, provided the backdrop. Adding décor, catering, and flights pushed the bill into billions.
For Davido — a billionaire heir turned global music brand — the Miami setting reinforced his international lifestyle and cemented his reputation for spectacle.
READ ALSO: Inside Davido’s ₦5.68Bn Miami Wedding: Nigeria’s Loss, America’s Gain
Together, the Otedola-Eazi and Davido-Chioma weddings account for nearly ₦28.5 billion spent abroad. Economists say this points to two pressing problems:
- Capital Flight: Nigeria already faces a weak naira and heavy dependence on foreign exchange. Big-dollar weddings abroad increase demand for dollars, worsening the pressure.
- Lost Local Impact: Weddings of this scale in Nigeria could have boosted the economy. Event planners, caterers, designers, hotels, and artisans would have earned from the celebrations. Instead, those benefits went to Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.
Dr. Okey Ibe, a Lagos-based economist, explained: “₦22 billion spent here could transform entire communities. Instead, money made in Nigeria ended up enriching foreign economies. These weddings are mirrors of capital flight.”
READ ALSO: Do Not Be Pressured By Davido’s Lavish Miami Wedding – Paul Okoye
Public reaction to the billionaire weddings has swung between satire, outrage, and admiration.
Social commentator Oscar Nzeh mocked the irony, writing, “The most expensive African wedding by Africans didn’t even happen in Africa… black man delulu.”
Adding to the criticism, Prince Luka Magnet lamented: “Africa, my continent. Spending billions just on a day’s wedding! Imagine spending such an amount to fight hunger and poverty in Nigeria.”
Cosmas Damian Nwoke asked, “How is this an African wedding when it happened in Monaco, Dubai, and Iceland? Where were the Yoruba or Igbo artists?”
Anthony Diala said, “Only the poor masses are impressed by such waste.”
Bello Salisu argued, “If ₦22 billion was spent here, countless Nigerians would have benefited. Instead, it all went abroad.”
Simon Osigwe warned: “Otedola collects forex for business, yet spends dollars abroad for weddings. How can the naira improve if this continues?”
Some, however, praised Otedola for honouring his daughter with a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. They insist it should be viewed as a record, not a standard.
Beyond Glamour: Weddings as Soft Power
Despite the backlash, the weddings showcased Nigeria’s culture globally. Designers like Lisa Folawiyo and House of Gilles gained worldwide exposure. Nigerian dishes and music carried Lagos’s spirit to Dubai, Iceland, and Miami.
Much like Bollywood weddings have boosted India’s bridal industry, Nigerian celebrity weddings may evolve into a tool of soft power fashion diplomacy told through love stories.
READ ALSO: Forbes 2025: Nigerian Billionaires and the Surprising Newcomers
Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi’s trilogy will be remembered as the most expensive wedding in African history. Davido and Chioma’s Miami celebration stands as another bold display of Nigerian wealth abroad.
Together, they embody the contradictions of modern African wealth: ambitious, global, and glamorous, yet disconnected from the everyday struggles of millions of Nigerians.
As one commentator summed it up: “These weddings are fairy tales. But when fairy tales cost ₦28 billion, Nigerians must ask: who really benefits?”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
