Popular Nigerian pastor and relationship coach, Kingsley Okonkwo, has come under criticism following the launch of a Christian matchmaking platform offering membership packages of up to ₦700,000 annually.
Okonkwo, the lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, launched the platform, Mentor To Marry, for Christian singles seeking intentional and faith based relationships.
The platform offers three membership categories: Regular, Premium and VIP. The Regular package costs ₦70,000 annually, while the Premium plan is priced at ₦350,000. The VIP package costs ₦700,000 and includes a dedicated matchmaker and coach, priority access to the platform’s founders, off-platform introductions, profile protection and access to global profiles.
According to the platform, members will undergo an eight week mentoring programme involving classes, assessments and guided reflection before accessing its matching services.
However, the pricing structure has sparked criticism from Nigerians on social media, with some questioning the affordability of the service for young singles seeking marriage.
The backlash intensified following comments made by Okonkwo while promoting the platform. The pastor had lamented what he described as the increasing commercialisation of modern relationships, particularly the financial expectations placed on men.
He encouraged men who were not wealthy but wanted to meet “godly” and well-mentored women to join the platform.
Critics subsequently accused him of contradicting himself by commercialising matchmaking while condemning the financialisation of relationships. Others questioned whether people who are struggling financially could afford fees running into hundreds of thousands of naira.
Some Nigerians also argued that the pricing could make the platform accessible mainly to wealthier individuals, potentially limiting opportunities for singles who cannot afford the membership fees.
However, the platform maintains that its purpose goes beyond simply connecting people. It describes itself as a guided marriage preparation and matching community designed to help Christian singles develop clarity, maturity and accountability before pursuing marriage.
Mentor To Marry also states that membership does not guarantee a match, mutual interest or marriage, while a free community option is available for singles who are not ready to subscribe to the paid packages.
The controversy has nevertheless renewed conversations about the growing cost of dating and marriage in Nigeria and whether finding a life partner should involve substantial financial commitments.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
