Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has told women to prioritise a suitor's financial stability before considering marriage, saying a man without a job has no business asking anyone to marry him.
Adeboye gave the advice while speaking on marriage at a church programme, emphasising that financial security matters more than how often a man prays or demonstrates religious devotion. He argued that a man's ability to provide for his family should be the foundation of any marriage decision.
"If a man has no job, he should not even think of marriage," Adeboye said. He warned women against being swayed by a suitor's spiritual activities or religious commitment if those activities do not translate into putting food on the table.
The cleric's position reflects a practical approach to marriage counselling that has become common among senior clergy in Nigeria. Many pastors now emphasise the importance of financial readiness before couples take the step of getting married, particularly given the economic challenges facing the country.
Adeboye's counsel also suggests that religious devotion, while important in a marriage, cannot substitute for economic responsibility. A man who spends all his time in church activities but has no means of livelihood, he implied, is not marriage material.
The RCCG leader's remarks come at a time when many young Nigerians struggle with unemployment and underemployment, making it difficult for young men to meet the financial expectations that come with marriage. His message appears directed at helping young women make informed decisions about their future spouses based on tangible realities rather than spiritual appearances alone.
