Lagos launches online pre-marital course for pastors, imams, marriage counsellors

The Lagos State Government has introduced an online Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Course for pastors, imams and faith-based marriage counsellors to help them guide couples toward healthier and violence-free marriages.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) said the initiative forms part of the state’s strategy to prevent domestic violence by strengthening family foundations before marriages begin.

The agency noted that in many communities across Lagos, marriage preparation often takes place in churches and mosques, making religious leaders important sources of guidance for intending couples.

According to the DSVA, the programme combines faith-based perspectives with modern relationship education, equipping counsellors with practical tools to help couples build partnerships based on communication, respect and accountability.

The course will be delivered through a flexible digital platform featuring self-paced modules, case studies and assessments designed to help counsellors apply practical knowledge to real-life counselling situations.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive certification aimed at improving professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state.

The curriculum also introduces key concepts related to preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, including how to identify early warning signs of abusive relationships and offer responsible guidance to couples.

Faith and government stakeholders present at the launch included representatives of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society, and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.

The initiative also complements the agency’s Relationship Health Clinic, which provides psychological support for individuals and couples using the evidence-based RELATE protocol to assess relationship dynamics and support early interventions.

Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the programme focuses on prevention by improving the quality of pre-marital counselling within faith institutions.

She emphasised that tackling domestic violence requires collaboration with community and religious institutions to help couples build marriages rooted in respect, safety and shared responsibility.

The state government said the initiative reinforces its zero-tolerance policy against sexual and gender-based violence while promoting stable families and healthy relationships across Lagos.