Marriage counsellors and emotional-wellbeing experts have attributed Nigeria’s rising divorce rate to rushed and emotionally unprepared unions, warning that the trend is contributing to avoidable conflicts, gender-based violence and marital breakdowns. Speaking at the Single Ladies Conference Abuja 1.0, convener Mary Chinda and Bedroom Matters International founder Cecilia Agu linked marital failures to poor personal empowerment, lack of emotional maturity, and unhealthy partner choices.
Citing a 2024 report by Divorce.com that ranked Nigeria 11th among 26 countries with high divorce rates, they stressed the need for emotional grounding, healing, shared values, responsibility, communication and accountability before marriage. While advising women to seek emotionally responsible partners, they also urged couples to develop relationship skills beyond prayer, noting that many crises stem from entering marriage without clarity or preparation.