The planned mass wedding of approximately 100 orphans has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria.
The orphans, some of whom are feared to be underage girls, are set to be married on May 24 in the north-western state of Niger.
But Nigeria's Women's Affairs Ministry said it has filed a court order to stop the ceremony.
The mass wedding was supported by the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly, who said local religious leaders had approached him for help to fund the event.
The Imams Forum of Niger have said the marriage ceremony should go ahead, insisting that the girls are of legal age.
Critics have expressed concern that some girls may be younger than 18, or being forced to comply for financial gain.
According to international campaign group, Girls Not Brides, 30 per cent of girls and 1.6 per cent of boys in Nigeria are married before the age of 18.
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