The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has launched a Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Online Course aimed at equipping pastors, imams and other faith-based marriage counsellors with practical skills to guide couples toward healthier and violence-free marriages.
Announcing the initiative in a statement on Wednesday, the agency said the programme forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader strategy to prevent domestic violence by strengthening family relationships before marriages begin.
According to DSVA, many intending couples in Lagos traditionally undergo marriage counselling within religious settings, placing faith leaders in a critical position to influence attitudes and behaviours that shape marital relationships.
“Across many communities in Lagos, pre-marital preparation takes place within churches and mosques, which means that pastors, imams and religious counsellors often serve as the first point of guidance for couples preparing for marriage,” the agency said.
“Recognising this influence, the programme has been designed to equip counsellors with structured knowledge that blends faith-based perspectives with modern relationship education,” the statement added.
The agency explained that the course would enable counsellors to guide couples in building strong marital partnerships grounded in communication, mutual respect and shared accountability.
“Through this programme, counsellors will be exposed to practical frameworks that encourage healthy dialogue, conflict resolution and responsible decision-making between intending spouses,” DSVA stated.
The training is delivered through a digital platform designed to allow participants learn at their own pace.
“Delivered through a flexible online platform, the course features self-paced learning modules, real-life case studies and assessments that enable counsellors to apply the knowledge gained to real-life counselling scenarios,” the agency explained.
DSVA further noted that participants who successfully complete the training would receive certification designed to enhance professionalism and accountability in faith-based counselling across the state.
“Successful participants will receive certification upon completion of the course, further strengthening professional standards and promoting accountability within faith-based counselling structures,” the statement added.
The curriculum also introduces religious counsellors to key concepts related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention.
According to the agency, the course is structured to help counsellors recognise early warning signs of abusive relationships and provide responsible guidance that could prevent harmful marital situations.
“Participants will be introduced to critical SGBV prevention concepts, including how to identify early warning signs of abuse, address unhealthy relationship dynamics and offer responsible guidance to couples before such patterns escalate,” DSVA stated.
The launch event drew participation from both faith leaders and government representatives, reflecting what the agency described as a multi-sector collaboration to strengthen family systems in the state.
Among the organisations represented at the event were the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.
DSVA also said the programme complements its recently introduced Relationship Health Clinic, another intervention designed to support couples and individuals through professional psychological guidance.
“The Religious Pre-Marital Counselling Course complements the Relationship Health Clinic, an innovative initiative by the Agency that provides professional psychological support for individuals and couples using the evidence-based RELATE Protocol,” the agency noted.
The RELATE framework, according to DSVA, helps assess relationship dynamics and supports early intervention where potential challenges are identified.
Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the programme reflects the agency’s commitment to preventive strategies against domestic violence.
“Domestic violence does not begin in the courtroom,” she said.
“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.”
Vivour-Adeniyi emphasised that preventing domestic violence requires broad collaboration between government institutions, community leaders and faith-based organisations.
“Preventing domestic violence requires collective responsibility,” she stated.
“By partnering with faith institutions, we are strengthening marriages at their foundation and building communities where homes remain safe, stable and supportive for everyone.”
Through the initiative and similar programmes, the Lagos State Government said it remains committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance stance against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence while promoting healthy family relationships across the state.
“These interventions reinforce Lagos State’s Zero Tolerance policy for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence while promoting healthy marriages, stable families and safer communities,” the agency said.
