Lagos Govt. Launches Online Training for Religious Marriage Counsellors to Curb Domestic Violence

The Lagos State Government has introduced an online pre-marital counselling course for religious leaders and faith-based marriage counsellors as part of efforts to prevent domestic violence and promote healthier family relationships.

The programme, launched by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), is designed to equip pastors, imams and other faith-based counsellors with practical tools to guide couples toward respectful and violence-free marriages.

Officials say the initiative is aimed at strengthening family foundations by improving the quality of counselling couples receive before marriage.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the programme focuses on prevention by addressing relationship challenges before they escalate into abuse.

“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.

The online course is delivered through a flexible digital platform. It includes self-paced learning modules, case studies and assessments to help counsellors apply practical knowledge to real-life counselling situations.

According to the agency, participants who complete the programme will receive certification, aimed at promoting professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state.

The launch event drew participation from key religious and government institutions, including the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting cross-sector collaboration in addressing family and social issues.

The curriculum also introduces counsellors to concepts related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence prevention, including identifying early warning signs of abusive relationships and providing responsible guidance to couples.

The initiative complements the agency’s newly introduced Relationship Health Clinic, which offers professional psychological support to individuals and couples using an evidence-based relationship diagnostic framework.

Vivour-Adeniyi emphasised that partnerships with religious institutions are essential in creating safer homes and communities.

“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,” she said.

The Lagos State Government urged religious leaders and marriage counsellors across churches and mosques in the state to enrol in the programme as part of efforts to promote stable families and uphold the state’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence.