Pastor’s N700k Love Scheme Gets Nigerians Talking

Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, founder and lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, has come under criticism online after launching a Christian matchmaking platform with membership plans reaching N700,000 annually.
Okonkwo, who is known for his teachings on relationships and marriage, announced the launch of Mentor To Marry (MTM) on X on Tuesday.
According to the pastor, the platform was created because relationships have become increasingly commercialised, making it difficult for some men to find suitable partners.
“When we were young, all you had to get was a girl’s phone number, but now all they want to send is their account number. Now you are expected to pay rent, school fees and transport before you are taken seriously,” he wrote.
He added: “If you are a guy and feel relationships are out of your reach because you are not rich or you just want to meet godly, well-mentored ladies from all over the world, then you have to join.”
Okonkwo said the platform was designed to connect serious Christian singles interested in marriage, stressing that many women were genuinely looking for committed and godly men.
“There are a lot of good women looking to connect with serious, godly men on our platform; just visit mentortomarry.com or link in bio to sign up,” he said.
The platform has three major membership options. The regular plan costs N70,000 per year, the premium package goes for N350,000, while the VIP membership costs N700,000 annually.
The VIP package comes with a dedicated matchmaker and coach, priority access to the founders, 15 weekly chats, private introductions outside the platform and profile protection.
Members are also required to complete an eight-week mentoring programme involving classes, assessments and guided reflection before recommendations and introductions are made.
MTM says the platform is intended for Christians seeking Christ-centred relationships and marriage. Users must be at least 25 years old, identify as Christians and agree to abide by the platform’s faith and community guidelines.
Members are also required to provide truthful information, including their marital status. Married people are not permitted to use the matchmaking service, while providing false information about relationship status could result in suspension or termination.
The platform also states that it does not provide psychotherapy, medical, legal or financial advice and does not guarantee that members will find a relationship or marriage partner.
Mixed Reactions Online
The N700,000 VIP membership fee has triggered strong reactions online, with some users questioning whether the service is affordable for singles who are not wealthy.
One user, NWOKE MBAISE, mocked the initiative, writing: “Papa don open another business venture 😂😂😂500k na him wife I go carry sha or him daughter as take home wife.”
Another user, @Oriowoking, described the platform as a scam and questioned whether members would get their money back if a relationship failed.
“This is scam of the hisghest order.. You mean when the relationship cast, you go pay my 700k back? Don’t pay for love ❤️ I’ve always warned about this people,” the user wrote.
However, some comments centred on the affordability of the service.
John Olive wrote: “Hmmm… I no get money. I no dey lazy only say money just never come. Now a sister somewhere has money(a lot of money) and praying for a man. And me wey no get 50k cannot access her. My pastor please create the platform for those wey no get money at all. Na beg I beg.”
Another commenter, S/HE Inspired by 2505, questioned whether people described as “not rich” could actually afford the fees.
The user said: “He said, ‘If you are not rich…’ I would like to ask: in this economy, can people who are not rich actually afford this fee? 😂 Plus, when did money become the main criteria for compatibility and priority in relationships for you not to see spouse? 🤔”
Some users also accused the pastor of doing exactly what he had criticised.
Monsieur 98 wrote: “Don’t you see how hypocritical that sounds? Relationships are commercialised these days, then you go ahead to commercialise the commercialisation of relationships. If I nod your ogor from here..”
Similarly, @The_walldoctor wrote: “😂😂 money making tactics….Imagine after paying 700k to find love and the love come dey show you shege after. The pastor just commercialised relationship even after saying relationships has become commercialised 🤨 just Imagine.”
Depreacher also questioned why people who are not wealthy would be required to pay heavily to access the platform.
“Brotherly, if you are charging the ‘not rich’ brothers so much to join the hookup/meetup platform, how much are you charging the Sisters? I am sure you are making money from both parties. I can already see you joining the list of the richest Pastors in Nigeria by 2029,” he wrote.
Another user, OurFaveOnlineDoc, questioned why the platform appeared to target men with paid access.
The user wrote: “If it is not a hookup platform, Ask yourself why in his own words, only men are told to come and join the platform by paying subscription fees.
“Men should come and pay money and then they will be given access to women based on the money they pay.
“Yet this is a ‘pastor’. Chai.”
NWOKE MBAISE also wrote: “Love don’t cost a dime but papa want collect minimum wage to show love.”