Popular Nigerian pastor and relationship coach, Kingsley Okonkwo, has come under criticism on social media over a Christian marriage platform operated by him that charges subscribers as much as N700,000 annually for matchmaking and mentoring services.
The controversy followed posts by Okonkwo on X promoting his “Mentor To Marry | Christian Marriage Preparation” platform to singles seeking marriage partners.
In one of the posts, Okonkwo encouraged men who believed relationships were beyond their reach because they were not wealthy, as well as those interested in meeting “godly well mentored ladies” from different parts of the world, to join the programme.
He wrote, “If you are a guy and feel relationships are out of your reach because you are not rich or you just want to meet godly well mentored ladies from all over the world then you have to join Mentor To Marry | Christian Marriage Preparation.”
In another post, the pastor questioned whether people seeking intentional relationships were themselves prepared for marriage and where they could meet other singles with similar intentions.
“Our mentor to marry programme is a place you can meet other intentional singles from all over the world, not just singles that ‘want’ to get married but that are ready to get married,” he said.
Platform offers three subscription plans
Information on the platform's website shows that it operates three annual subscription packages: Regular, Premium and VIP.
The Regular plan costs N70,000 annually and offers eight weeks of mentoring classes, limited access to profiles, an accountability system and country-based matching.
The Premium package costs N350,000 per year and includes the Regular package features, as well as priority access to coaches, monthly profile recommendations and membership of a private group.
The VIP package, described on the platform as the “Most Popular”, costs N700,000 annually.
Subscribers to the VIP plan receive the Premium package benefits, alongside priority access to Okonkwo and other coaches, a dedicated matchmaker and coach, and unlimited profile browsing.
The pricing and matchmaking structure have triggered debate on X, with critics questioning whether the platform amounts to a commercial dating service rather than a Christian marriage mentorship programme.
Nigerians question N700,000 VIP fee
One X user, OurFaveOnlineDoc, criticised the platform's model, particularly the payment required from men to access prospective female partners.
“A ‘man of God’ in Nigeria is charging men money to link them up with women on his website,” the user wrote.
The user also questioned the N700,000 VIP subscription and the access it provides to Okonkwo, asking how the arrangement differed from the services provided by pimps.
Another user, Nurse Bassey, accused some religious figures of exploiting people's religious beliefs for commercial purposes.
“Everybody is looking for a way to monetise people’s ignorance these days. Just attach ‘God’ to it and watch people pay for things they would normally question,” the user said.
Another X user, Nero, focused on what he described as a contradiction in Okonkwo's promotion of the platform.
He questioned why a platform aimed partly at men who were not financially buoyant would charge as much as N700,000 for its top subscription.
“It's funny how he said relationships are out of reach if you're not rich, yet he goes ahead to charge his prospects 700k for VIP,” Nero wrote.
“Like, can a poor person afford 700k just to meet a girl?”
Critics question religious basis
Other users questioned whether a paid matchmaking platform was compatible with the Christian teachings associated with marriage and divine guidance.
An X user identified as S K U N U N Z Y asked whether participants on the platform would still rely on the Holy Spirit in choosing their spouses.
The user wrote, “I thought they said na Holy Spirit dey inform who to marry in Godly relationship/marriages.”
Another user, ƊeLta, accused some religious figures of invoking God's name for personal benefit.
“Some people were called by God. Others called God and started using His name to steal, manipulate and indoctrinate,” the user wrote.
Harry Chinwuba, who said he had previously followed Okonkwo's relationship teachings, also expressed disappointment with the platform.
“Followed his relationship teaching years back because it was realistic. But something has changed in him. This isn't biblical. I can understand trying to make money but do not merchandise the word of God,” he wrote.
Ikejiaku Godwin similarly criticised the commercialisation of religious platforms, suggesting that some pastors had turned their ministries into businesses.
The criticism has largely focused on the subscription fees, the matchmaking component of the programme and whether charging users for access to prospective spouses is consistent with the principles of Christian marriage counselling.
Okonkwo, however, has presented the platform as a structured environment for intentional singles seeking marriage, with mentoring and coaching forming part of the services offered.
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