Pastor Officiates Wedding of Autistic Man to Older Woman After Public Criticism

A Nigerian pastor has conducted the wedding of a young autistic man to an older woman following days of public debate over the arrangement.

The ceremony took place on Sunday, March 29, at the headquarters of the church founded by Chibuzor Chinyere, where he personally officiated the union.

The groom, identified as Aboy Chibuzor, is non-verbal and depends on assistance for basic daily needs, including feeding and personal care. According to the church, he was reportedly abandoned as a child and raised within the ministry under the pastor’s supervision.

The development follows a viral video in which the cleric had publicly sought a wife for the young man, a move that triggered widespread criticism online. Many questioned the ethics of the proposal, prompting a public apology from the pastor, who said his intention was not to diminish any woman involved.

In a post shared after the ceremony, the pastor announced that the marriage had been concluded and outlined financial and material support attached to the union. These include a ₦10 million wedding gift, provision of a house, overseas travel, and a future payment conditional on the groom’s survival over the next decade. Additional donations were also received from members of the church.

He also claimed early changes in the groom’s condition, stating that he had begun to feed himself independently, and expressed hope for further improvement over time.

The wedding has continued to draw mixed reactions, with discussions focusing on care, consent, and the role of religious institutions in personal arrangements.