Popular Pastor Draws Criticism over N700,000 Matchmaking Platform

Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, the lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre and a relationship coach, has come under criticism after launching a Christian matchmaking platform with an annual membership package costing as much as N700,000.

The platform, known as Mentor To Marry, was created to help Christian singles seeking serious relationships connect with potential partners who share their faith and interest in marriage.

The development has sparked debate on social media, particularly over the cost of accessing the matchmaking service and whether the fee is affordable for young Nigerians looking for marriage partners.

Okonkwo had earlier spoken about the financial pressure surrounding relationships, saying the increasing cost of dating and the expectations placed on men were making it harder for some people to pursue genuine relationships.

He pointed to expenses such as accommodation, school fees and transportation as some of the financial responsibilities men may be expected to handle when pursuing relationships.

While promoting the new platform, the pastor said there were still women interested in genuine, faith-based relationships and that Mentor To Marry was designed to bring such individuals together.

The service differs from regular dating applications because prospective members are expected to go through an eight-week programme before gaining access to its matchmaking features.

The process includes mentoring sessions, personal assessments and guided reflection intended to help participants better understand themselves and prepare for relationships and marriage.

The platform also has rules governing the conduct of members. Activities such as harassment, fraud, impersonation, catfishing and the sharing of explicit material are prohibited.

Membership packages reportedly include different levels, with the highest annual option costing N700,000. There is also a free community option for people who want to participate without immediately paying for the premium matchmaking services.

According to the conditions attached to the platform, paying for membership does not guarantee that a participant will find a partner or eventually get married.

The high cost of the premium membership has nevertheless become the main source of criticism since the platform was announced.

Some Nigerians questioned why a service aimed at helping people find genuine relationships should require such a large financial commitment, especially at a time when many young people are facing rising living costs.

Critics also pointed to what they described as a contradiction between Okonkwo’s concerns about the growing commercial nature of relationships and the introduction of a matchmaking service with a N700,000 annual package.

Some social media users argued that the price could make the platform accessible mainly to wealthy individuals, potentially limiting the range of people available to those seeking partners through the service.

Others, however, focused on the wider difficulties facing people in modern relationships. They noted that financial expectations, economic hardship and the pressure to meet certain social standards have made dating and marriage more difficult for many young Nigerians.

The controversy has therefore moved beyond the price of the matchmaking service to broader discussions about the role of money in relationships, the cost of marriage and the growing use of paid platforms to connect people seeking long-term partners.

Mentor To Marry is positioned as a faith-based alternative to conventional dating platforms, with its mentoring and assessment stages intended to encourage participants to approach relationships with greater commitment and preparation.