Popular relationship coach and lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, Kingsley Okonkwo, has stirred intense debate on social media after urging men to raise their standards in relationships and stop marrying women who are financially dependent on them.
The cleric made the remarks in a series of posts shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, where he argued that many men are increasingly losing interest in marriage because they now see it as a financial burden rather than a partnership.
According to Okonkwo, men must begin to demand more balanced relationships instead of accepting partners who rely entirely on them for survival.
He wrote, “Men, it’s high time we start having standards as well. You guys are too used to women who are liabilities, that’s why less and less men desire marriage, they see it as a burden.
“Men set standards like you won’t marry broke women too, that you want a partner and not a dependent, maybe it will make more women work and not see marriage and dating as a poverty alleviation scheme.”
The pastor further described the current expectation that men must solely shoulder financial responsibilities in relationships as both unhealthy and contrary to biblical principles.
While acknowledging that many women openly demand wealthy partners, Okonkwo insisted that men also have the right to expect partners who are productive and willing to contribute.
He also criticised men who deliberately seek financially vulnerable women in order to dominate or control them, warning that such behaviour ultimately harms both parties.
“Yes, I know some of you men like the needy, hungry and dependent women because it boosts your ego and helps you control women, but it’s doing more harm than good. All humans have value and abilities; let them develop it,” he cautioned.
