“Don’t Buy a House or Car If You Want to Marry” – Nigerian Cleric Admonishes Women

A Nigerian cleric has sparked widespread debate online after a video of his sermon surfaced, in which he warned women against pursuing independence if they hope to get married. The controversial preacher advised women not to buy a house or a car and discouraged them from living alone, suggesting that financial independence could lead to power struggles with potential husbands.

“If you’re a woman who wants to get married, don’t buy a house or a car. Don’t live alone, stay with family or your sister,” he said during the sermon. “Because once you do, you’ll have a power tussle with a man and you won’t be able to get married. You’ll start asking, ‘Who do you think you are?’ because you can now afford your own needs.”

In the same message, the cleric condemned the practice of young female undergraduates living in school hostels, claiming it leads to moral decline. He alleged that many of these students become involved in prostitution, accusing parents of naivety for allowing their daughters to live away from home.

“All those students who insist on staying in school hostels are now prostitutes,” he claimed. “You send your 19-year-old daughter to school, and the world already calls her a prostitute. That man you’re scared of, your daughter is already sleeping with him.”

He further asserted that prostitution is rampant and inexpensive, saying, “Do you know how cheap prostitution is? Even 10 rands can carry your daughter—the same one you think is a medical doctor.” The cleric concluded by urging parents to have their children live at home while attending university.

The remarks have triggered criticism and concern across social media, with many calling them regressive and harmful to women’s empowerment and education.