The Lagos State Government, through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has trained marriage registrars on effective premarital counselling as part of efforts to promote stable families and prevent domestic violence.
Speaking at the two-day training in Ikeja, the President of the Institute of Marriage Administrators and Counselors of Nigeria, Pastor Emmanuel Oladele, said premarital counselling equips intending couples with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the lifelong responsibilities of marriage.
He identified poor communication, financial disagreements, family interference, career differences, parenting styles, changing family roles and infidelity as common triggers of domestic violence when left unaddressed.
Oladele urged marriage registrars to guide couples on critical issues such as religion, health, finances, career goals, family planning, child upbringing and fidelity to help align expectations before marriage. He also stressed the importance of openness, mutual respect, integrity and effective communication in sustaining healthy relationships.
He reminded registrars of their responsibilities under the Marriage Act, urging them to uphold professionalism, confidentiality and empathy while identifying relationship red flags and counselling couples on conflict resolution, financial management and emotional wellbeing.
Also speaking, family life therapist and Chief Executive Officer of Revive Afrique, Mrs Florence Ogwu, attributed rising cases of marital crisis to inadequate premarital preparation and the absence of continuous marriage counselling after weddings.
She noted that economic hardship could heighten tensions in marriages but encouraged couples to strengthen their relationships through cooperation, shared financial planning and regular counselling.
Ogwu advised registrars to pay attention to warning signs such as controlling behaviour, emotional manipulation, intimidation and isolation, stressing that marriage does not change violent or abusive behaviour.
According to her, comprehensive premarital counselling and periodic “marriage check-ups” can help reduce domestic violence, marital breakdown and divorce while fostering healthier, more stable families.