Lagos Launches Free Pre-Marriage Counselling Course to Tackle Domestic Violence

The Lagos State Government has launched a free pre-marriage counselling course aimed at curbing domestic and gender-based violence by equipping religious marriage counsellors with essential skills.

The initiative, introduced by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), is designed as an online training programme facilitated by experienced professionals in family life, counselling and relationship development.

According to the government, the course will provide participants with practical tools for building healthy marriages, improving communication, managing conflicts and identifying early warning signs of abuse.

It also focuses on preventing sexual and gender-based violence by strengthening the role of religious counsellors, who are often the first point of guidance for intending couples.

Officials noted that the programme is flexible and can be taken online at participants’ convenience, making it accessible to a wide range of counsellors across the state.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Lagos State Government to address domestic violence, with previous data showing that the agency handles hundreds of related cases monthly and has supported thousands of survivors over the years.

Authorities emphasised that early intervention through proper counselling before marriage is key to building safer homes and reducing cases of abuse in society.

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