Nigerians have taken to social media to debate the cost of a new Christian matchmaking platform launched by relationship coach and pastor, Kingsley Okonkwo, with its highest membership package priced at ₦700,000 annually.
Okonkwo, the lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, recently introduced Mentor To Marry, a platform designed to help Christian singles seeking intentional, faith-based relationships and marriage. The initiative combines relationship mentoring, assessments, accountability and matchmaking.
The platform has three membership levels: Regular, Premium and VIP. The Regular package costs ₦70,000 per year, while Premium is priced at ₦350,000. The VIP package costs ₦700,000 and includes benefits such as a dedicated matchmaker and coach, priority access to the platform’s founders, off-platform introductions and access to global profiles.
The pricing has generated significant discussion online, particularly because of Okonkwo’s earlier comments about the increasing commercialisation of relationships.
While some Nigerians criticised the ₦700,000 fee as excessive for a service connected to Christian marriage, others defended the initiative, arguing that professional matchmaking, counselling and personalised relationship services can legitimately attract fees.
One critic questioned the apparent contradiction between concerns about commercialised relationships and charging substantial fees for matchmaking, while another asked how the service would remain accessible to singles who cannot afford the premium packages.
The debate highlights broader questions about the growing commercialisation of dating and marriage services in Nigeria, as well as whether paid matchmaking can effectively combine professional relationship guidance with Christian values.
Despite the controversy, Mentor To Marry represents Okonkwo’s latest effort to provide a structured approach to marriage preparation. The platform reportedly requires members to undergo mentoring and assessments before gaining deeper access to its matchmaking services.
