A Christian matchmaking platform launched by relationship coach and pastor Kingsley Okonkwo is facing criticism after Nigerians questioned membership fees of up to N700,000 a year.
The platform, Mentor To Marry, offers three annual membership packages ranging from N70,000 to N700,000, with its most expensive package providing subscribers with a dedicated matchmaker and coach, priority access to the platform’s founders, off-platform introductions and other benefits.
Okonkwo, the lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, unveiled the platform in a series of posts on X on Wednesday, describing it as a guided marriage-preparation and matchmaking community for serious Christian singles seeking intentional, faith-based relationships.
However, the launch sparked a heated debate online, particularly after the pastor previously criticised what he described as the increasing commercialisation of relationships.
“I feel for the men of this generation…. relationships have been so commercialised nowadays that it’s almost impossible for a young man to find true love.
“When we were young, all you had to get was a girl’s phone number but now all they want to send is their account number. Now you are expected to pay rent, school fees and transport before you are taken seriously,” Okonkwo said.
He later directed men interested in meeting “godly well mentored ladies from all over the world” to the Mentor To Marry platform.
Okonkwo, however, said his comments were not intended as a criticism of women generally.
“I can assure you that not all women are in relationship for business, there are a lot of good women looking to connect with serious godly men on our platform,” he said.
Critics Question Pricing
The platform’s pricing structure has become the centre of the controversy, with critics arguing that a service created to address the commercialisation of relationships should not require singles to pay hundreds of thousands of naira to access potential partners.
Facebook user King Phill questioned what he described as a contradiction in the pastor’s position.
“If relationships have become increasingly commercialized… Then why is he also commercializing it?” the user asked.
Another user, Salome Zamani, said she would have considered joining the platform but found the cost discouraging.
“If na by this one I no go see husband marry be that ohhhhhh cos am single and would have love to try it out but e be like I go just concentrate on God kawai,” she wrote.
Affitex Eduno also argued that the pricing represented the same commercialisation Okonkwo had criticised.
“With the prices stated here, relationship commercialisation has taken place already… make I dey here dey find my own on a low key (Facebook), who knows I might find my will of God here,” the user said.
Another commenter, Joel Johnny Umoh, questioned the growing cost of finding a partner.
“The road to find love is becoming so narrow every day. I sha know say God no fit monetize heaven if not hmmmmm,” he wrote.
On X, @gatsegwasiPhD questioned why a man who could not afford N700,000 would have to pay such an amount to meet “godly” women.
“Don’t you see how you are contradicting yourself? You say relationships are commercialised and men who don’t have money should still pay 700k to meet ‘godly’ women? So tell me who has such amount if not rich men?” the user wrote.
Another X user, @DaraMoren1, also questioned the apparent inconsistency.
“Relationship has been so commercialised nowadays yet you went ahead to commercialize it. Mentor to Marry price list has Reg, Premium & VIP,” the user wrote.
Supporters Defend Okonkwo
Despite the backlash, other Nigerians defended the initiative, arguing that Okonkwo was offering professional counselling and matchmaking services rather than charging people for religious ministry.
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Neo said people were free to pay for services they considered valuable.
“The man did nothing wrong. Since Nigerian men and women cannot choose right to save their own lives, maybe paying for counseling will unlock common sense,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Every product or service is worth whatever the customer is willing to pay for it. Y’all are giving him Free PR.”
Another supporter, Princewill Chuka, argued that critics were unfairly attacking Okonkwo for charging for professional expertise.
“People just trying to gaslight the man for nothing. Pay for his professional services or get lost. He didn’t charge you for the gospel, he’s charging for knowledge that has taken him years to master,” he wrote.
Jerry Babaleye also distinguished between Okonkwo’s pastoral ministry and his professional marriage counselling services.
“It’s important to note tho, that this man is both a pastor and a professional marriage counselor. He charges for professional counseling, outside of his ministry doings, they’re not the same,” he said.
Deborah Moses argued that pastors should also be allowed to earn income outside their ministry.
“You all said pastors should get a job. He coined a job that allows him to still have time for the Gospel. Allow now,” she wrote.
Another supporter, Peter, questioned whether it was realistic to expect a pastor to provide free counselling to everyone seeking guidance.
“So, if he has 100 people to give free guidance daily when does he live and earn a living? Pastors are not required to die for us, let’s be humane,” he said.
How the Platform Works
According to information provided by Mentor To Marry, the programme is built around mentoring before matchmaking.
Members begin with eight weeks of mentoring classes, assessments and guided reflection before gaining access to the platform’s matching services.
The Regular membership costs N70,000 annually and includes eight weeks of mentoring classes, assessments and surveys, access to limited profiles, an accountability system, five weekly chats and access to a country-based matching pool.
The Premium package costs N350,000 annually. It includes all Regular benefits, unlimited profile browsing, monthly profile recommendations, priority access to coaches, global profiles, 10 weekly chats and private groups.
The VIP membership costs N700,000 annually and includes a dedicated matchmaker and coach, priority access to the platform’s founders, 15 weekly chats, off-platform introductions, profile protection and access to global profiles.
The platform states that payment does not guarantee a match, mutual interest or marriage.
According to the service, its goal is not simply to help singles meet potential partners but to prepare members for marriage through relationship education, accountability and guided mentoring.
Mentor To Marry is operated by Love, Dating and Marriage Ministries, which the platform describes as a non-profit organisation registered in Nigeria.
The service targets Christians aged 25 and above. Members are required to identify as Christians, agree to the organisation’s statement of faith and provide truthful information about their identity and marital status.
Those seeking matchmaking services must be unmarried, divorced or widowed.
The platform also prohibits sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, fraud, catfishing, sexually explicit content and financial exploitation.
Okonkwo and his wife, Mildred Okonkwo, are listed among the platform’s founders, with the organisation citing their experience in pastoral care and marriage mentoring.
Efforts to obtain Okonkwo’s response to the criticism were unsuccessful as of the time of filing.
An associate who answered his phone directed enquiries to WhatsApp, but a message sent to Okonkwo’s WhatsApp line was not answered. Messages sent through his Instagram account also received no response.
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