Popular Nigerian relationship coach and pastor, Kingsley Okonkwo, has come under criticism on social media following the promotion of his Christian marriage platform, Mentor To Marry | Christian Marriage Preparation, which offers matchmaking, mentoring and relationship guidance to singles.

The controversy centres on the platform’s subscription structure, particularly its premium package priced at N700,000 annually.

Okonkwo recently took to X to encourage men who are looking for marriage partners to join the platform. He specifically addressed men who may feel that relationships are difficult to pursue because of their financial circumstances, as well as those interested in meeting Christian women described as “godly” and “well mentored.”

“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,” he wrote.

In another post, the pastor stressed the importance of intentionality among singles seeking marriage. He questioned whether people who describe themselves as intentional about relationships were actually prepared for marriage and whether they knew where to meet other like-minded individuals.

“Everyone wants an intentional man or woman…but I have two questions for you,” he wrote.

“Are you an intentional man or woman? If you are, where can you meet other intentional men and women that you can marry?”

According to Okonkwo, his programme is designed to bring together singles who are not merely interested in marriage but are prepared to enter into it.

“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 stated.

The programme’s subscription structure has, however, generated considerable debate online.

Information provided about the platform lists three annual membership categories: Regular, Premium and VIP.

The Regular package, which costs N70,000 for 12 months, includes eight weeks of mentoring classes, access to selected profiles, an accountability system and country-based matching.

The Premium package, priced at N350,000 annually, offers the features available under the Regular plan, alongside 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 per year. It includes the Premium package features, as well as priority access to Okonkwo and other coaches, a dedicated matchmaker and coach, and unlimited browsing of profiles.

The pricing structure has triggered questions about the nature of the service, with some social media users arguing that the platform appears to combine Christian marriage counselling with a commercial matchmaking service.

One X user, identified as OurFaveOnlineDoc, questioned the idea of charging men for access to potential 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 took particular issue with the highest subscription tier, asking how the VIP package differed from other commercial matchmaking arrangements.

“How is this different from what pimps do?” the user asked in a post, adding that the pastor appeared to be running what the user described as a “hookup platform.”

Another part of the criticism focused on the way Okonkwo’s promotional message appeared to specifically target men.

The social media user argued that if the programme was fundamentally a Christian marriage preparation initiative, more attention should be given to explaining its counselling, mentorship and preparation components rather than emphasising access to women.

“If it is not a hookup platform, ask yourself why in his own words, only men are told to come and join the platform by paying subscription fees,” the user stated.

Another commentator, identified as Nurse Bassey, criticised what she described as the growing commercialisation of religious services.

“Everybody is looking for a way to monetize people’s ignorance these days. Just attach ‘God’ to it and watch people pay for things they would normally question,” she wrote.

The online reaction has therefore raised broader questions about the intersection of faith, relationships and commercial services in Nigeria’s growing relationship and marriage coaching industry.

While critics have focused largely on the cost of membership and the matchmaking component, the programme is presented as more than a dating service. Its stated offerings include mentoring, accountability, coaching and marriage preparation, suggesting that the organisers view the platform as a structured environment for singles seeking Christian marriage.

The N700,000 annual VIP fee, however, has emerged as the biggest point of contention, particularly amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges. Critics argue that such a price could make the service inaccessible to many young Nigerians who are already struggling with the rising cost of living.

The controversy also highlights the increasing popularity of relationship coaches and faith-based marriage programmes, particularly among young Christians seeking guidance on dating, courtship and marriage.

Okonkwo, who has built a significant following through his teachings on relationships and Christian marriage, has not, in the material cited, indicated that the platform is intended to function as anything other than a Christian marriage preparation and matchmaking service.

The debate surrounding the programme is consequently centred not only on its fees but also on how religiously oriented matchmaking should be structured and marketed.

As reactions continue online, the controversy has placed renewed attention on the responsibilities of relationship coaches and religious leaders who provide paid services to people seeking marriage, particularly where faith, personal relationships and financial transactions intersect.