Lagos launches online pre-marital counselling course for faith leaders

The Lagos State Government has introduced a new online training programme designed to equip religious leaders and marriage counsellors with practical skills to guide couples toward building healthier, violence-free relationships.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) announced the launch of the Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Online Course, targeted at pastors, imams, and other faith-based counsellors.

The agency noted that the initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to prevent domestic violence by strengthening family foundations before couples tie the knot. It acknowledged that marriage preparation in many Lagos communities often takes place within churches and mosques, positioning faith leaders as key influencers in the lives of 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,” the DSVA said.

The course is delivered through a flexible digital platform that includes self-paced modules, case studies, and assessments. Upon completion, participants will receive certification, a move the DSVA said is aimed at strengthening professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state.

The curriculum also introduces counsellors to key concepts in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention, teaching them how to recognise early warning signs of abusive relationships and provide responsible guidance to couples.

The launch event was attended by representatives from key faith and government bodies, including the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.

The DSVA noted that this initiative complements the recently introduced Relationship Health Clinic, which provides professional psychological support for individuals and couples using the evidence-based RELATE Protocol. The protocol helps evaluate key relationship dynamics and guide early interventions.

Speaking on the programme, the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stressed the preventive focus of the initiative.

“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 said.

She added that preventing domestic violence requires collective responsibility, and by partnering with faith institutions, the government is strengthening marriages at their foundation and building safer communities.

Through these efforts, 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.