Senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Pastor Sarah Omakwu, has stirred conversations on marriage and relationships after describing marriages in which a man is younger than his wife as “a red flag.”
The cleric made the remarks in a video that has been circulating on social media, where she shared her personal opinion on age differences in marriage, arguing that such unions could present leadership and respect-related challenges.
“I’m seeing young men these days marrying women that are older than them. That is a red flag,” Omakwu said.
She acknowledged that some people often defend such marriages by pointing to older generations but argued that society and family dynamics have changed over the years.
“They say, ‘My parents did it and all.’ That was that generation when women were patient,” she said.
According to the preacher, some younger men already struggle to manage relationships with women their age and may find it even more difficult in marriages where the woman is older.
“Those of you that are married and say, ‘My age mates are too childish,’ you too, you are childish. How did you finish with the person who said you are too senior? How have you managed somebody that you are older than? And then you come and marry a woman that is older,” she stated.
Omakwu further questioned why a man would constantly demand respect from a wife who is older than him.
“Every day you say, ‘You better respect me, you better respect me.’ Why should… Is it not even okay for somebody who is older than you to be respecting you?” she asked.
While acknowledging that others may disagree with her position, the pastor maintained that she was merely expressing her personal opinion.
“Anyway, it’s my opinion. Do whatever you want with it. If you like, nail me on the internet, I don’t care. You can only nail me on the internet; you cannot nail me on the cross because you won’t find me to nail me,” she said.
Pastor Sarah Omakwu is the founder and senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, a church she established alongside her late husband, Pastor Inalegwu Omakwu, on April 11, 1993. Widely known for her teachings on Christian living, family values and leadership, she remains one of Nigeria’s prominent Christian voices, frequently speaking at conferences and ministry events across the country.
