- The Lagos State Government has launched the first online pre-marital counselling course
- The initiative targets pastors, imams, and faith-based counsellors to strengthen marriage foundations
- The move aims to prevent domestic violence by equipping faith leaders with modern relationship tools alongside faith-based guidance
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Online Course designed for pastors, imams, and faith-based marriage counsellors.
The initiative aims to equip participants with practical tools to guide couples toward healthier, violence-free marriages.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) announced the launch on Wednesday, March 11, describing the programme as part of the state’s ongoing commitment to preventing domestic violence by strengthening family foundations even before marriage.
In many communities across Lagos, marriage preparation primarily occurs within churches and mosques, making faith leaders crucial sources of guidance for intending couples.
“Recognising this influence, the programme has been designed to provide counsellors with structured knowledge that combines faith-based perspectives with modern relationship education, helping couples build strong partnerships rooted in communication, respect and accountability,” DSVA stated.
The course is delivered through a flexible digital platform featuring self-paced modules, case studies, and assessments.
“Delivered through a flexible digital platform, the course enables counsellors to apply practical knowledge to real-life counselling scenarios,” the agency added.
Participants who complete the training will receive certification, aimed at “strengthening professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state,” DSVA noted.
The curriculum also introduces counsellors to key concepts in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention, including “how to recognise early warning signs of abusive relationships and provide responsible guidance to couples.”
The launch event brought together faith and government stakeholders, including “The Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs,” the agency said.
DSVA explained that this initiative complements the recently introduced Relationship Health Clinic, “another innovative initiative by the Agency that provides professional psychological support for individuals and couples using the evidence-based RELATE Protocol. This diagnostic framework evaluates key relationship dynamics and helps guide early interventions.”
Highlighting the preventive focus of the programme, DSVA Executive Secretary Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said: “Domestic violence does not begin in the courtroom. In many cases, it begins long before marriage. By strengthening the quality of pre-marital counselling within our faith institutions, we are helping couples build marriages founded on respect, safety and shared responsibility.”
She further emphasised the importance of collective action in tackling domestic violence: “Preventing domestic violence requires collective responsibility. By partnering with faith institutions, we are strengthening marriages at their foundation and building communities where homes remain safe and supportive for everyone.”
Through these initiatives, the Lagos State Government said it is reinforcing its “Zero Tolerance policy for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, while promoting healthy marriages and stable families” across the state.