Shawn Faqua, Sharon Maduekwe make history with Nigeria’s first train wedding

Nollywood actor Shawn Faqua and his bride, Sharon Ifunanya Maduekwe, have made history as the first couple in Nigeria to exchange vows aboard a moving train.

The one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony was held on Sunday along the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway, where a coach at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station was transformed into a stunning venue on wheels.

Departing from the Alagomeji-Yaba Station in Lagos, the specially decorated train carried the couple, their guests, and their love story on a symbolic journey celebrating both romance and innovation.

Following their traditional wedding, the couple’s white ceremony took place inside the moving train, complete with floral décor, music, and joyous applause as they exchanged vows and rings. Among the guests present was Nollywood actor Stan Nze, who joined in celebrating the couple’s historic moment.

The event was the brainchild of the bride, Sharon, a professional event planner, whose creativity turned a train ride into a memorable and record-breaking celebration. Viral videos captured the bridal party boarding the train in high spirits, adding excitement to the already extraordinary occasion.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) lauded the couple’s ingenuity, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “From lovebirds to locomotives, we’re keeping things on track. History made — the first-ever wedding on a moving train in Nigeria. Proof that the journey can be just as beautiful as the destination.”

The ceremony has since gone viral, drawing admiration across social media for blending love, creativity, and modern Nigerian innovation.

With this symbolic union, the Faquas not only celebrated their love but also showcased the beauty of reimagining tradition — proving that in love and in life, it’s not just about the destination, but the journey that makes history.