
Audio By Carbonatix
He's one of Nigeria's most influential and well-respected pastors in a country that is fervently religious, so when Pastor Enoch Adeboye speaks, people listen. Although sometimes a little later than intended.
In the past few days a YouTube video (which was posted over a year ago) has set digital tongues wagging. It began as a simple sermon from the pastor advising young people on marriage. But one line sparked a social media fire.
"Don't marry a woman who can't cook," Pastor Adeboye said to rapturous applause. "A girl who cannot cook will not be a good wife."
He went on to issue his decrees for those on the hunt for a husband too.
"Don't marry a man who has no job…A man is to provide for the house, not the other way around."
It's not clear who first shared the video or why it has resurfaced now. But it has been trending all week with more than 30,000 tweets, with it appears about equal numbers supporting or opposed to the pastor's advice.


Many Nigerians have seen this as part of a larger conversation on feminism and as a manipulation of the bible to keep women in traditional gendered roles.

But this is a country where religious traditions crosses over into much of every day life, including law.
Even some who regarded themselves as the most progressive of tweeters, felt cooking was still very firmly in the woman's realm.

But millions of women in Nigeria are now in work (48% of women work, that's not far behind the US or the UK with 56%) and they're caught up in that gap between tradition and a modern way of life. Cooking is seen as unmasculine.
Nigerians take their pastors as seriously as they do their food as many people hit out at the critics saying they are in no place to criticise a man of God.
Pastor Adeboye is head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria. He is also one of the wealthiest pastors in the country. This week he issued a statement reminding people that despite the tough economic times in Nigeria, they shouldn't forget to pay their church dues. For some people the online debate is about the power of Nigeria's churches.
But it wasn't just a serious and existential online debate, there were many who saw the funny side.

Arguments over who does what at home is something women in many parts of the world are familiar with.
In Nigeria, it seems that conversation is just beginning.
Latest Stories
-
GIS to unveil comprehensive plans to enhance officers’ welfare and infrastructure
3 minutes -
Right move, wrong timing? – COMAC CEO questions govt’s delay on fuel price relief
4 minutes -
IMF urges Central Banks to keep inflation in check
27 minutes -
NRSA stands firm on Toyota Voxy ban despite transport operators’ opposition
29 minutes -
H. Kwasi Prempeh raises concerns over Supreme Court’s handling of OSP constitutionality case
37 minutes -
Global childhood cancer cases soar
37 minutes -
Airline pilots fear retribution over refusing to fly in Middle East, aviators’ group says
38 minutes -
Police intensify security in Bosomtwe communities after deadly clash
46 minutes -
Corporate Income Tax contributes highest to 2025 petroleum revenue
48 minutes -
Ghana less exposed to global oil disruptions — Fitch
51 minutes -
Property rates: Stakeholders advocate digitisation, transparency, …
53 minutes -
Police officer killed in road crash at Atortorkorpe in Ada
53 minutes -
EKMA begins dredging major storm drains ahead of peak rainy season
58 minutes -
US has let in 4,499 refugees since October – all but three were South African
1 hour -
Child Protection Units to be part of MMDA Performance Assessment
1 hour