The Lagos State Government has unveiled a Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Online Course aimed at pastors, imams, and faith-based marriage counsellors, equipping them with practical tools to guide couples toward healthier, violence-free marriages.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency as part of the state’s ongoing commitment to preventing domestic violence by strengthening family foundations before marriages begin.
In many Lagos communities, marriage preparation traditionally takes place within churches and mosques, positioning faith leaders as key influencers 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 said.
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 successfully complete the training will receive certification, aimed at “strengthening professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state,” DSVA noted.
The curriculum also familiarises counsellors with crucial concepts in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence prevention, including “how to recognise early warning signs of abusive relationships and provide responsible guidance to couples.”
Representatives from faith and government organisations, including The Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society, and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, were present at the launch.
DSVA highlighted that the new programme complements its 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.”
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasised the preventive nature of the programme. “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 also stressed the importance of collaboration in addressing 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 continues to reinforce its “Zero Tolerance policy for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, while promoting healthy marriages and stable families” across the state.
