Jimmy Odukoya’s Remarriage Sparks Debate Over Divorce Among Nigerian Pastors

The remarriage of Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, has reignited debate over divorce among Nigerian pastors, with religious leaders and marriage counsellors expressing differing views on the reasons behind failed marriages among prominent clerics.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that at least eight marriages involving prominent Nigerian pastors, including Chris Oyakhilome, Chris Okotie, Joshua Iginla and Olumide Emmanuel, ended in divorce or separation between 2012 and 2026.

Jimmy Odukoya's Remarriage Draws Attention

Jimmy married his first wife, Oluwakemi Banjoko, in March 2013 in London. The couple have two children, although the reason for the breakdown of their marriage has not been made public.

While introducing his new wife, Motunrayo (Mo) Daniel, Jimmy disclosed that his first marriage had ended long before he became senior pastor in 2023, following the death of his father, Taiwo Odukoya.

Reports indicated that the couple held a private wedding ceremony in the United States after an introduction ceremony in Lagos. Mo is a creative entrepreneur and designer, and the daughter of Reverend Theophilus and Bolaji Daniel. She was previously married to British-Nigerian gospel music producer and artist Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA.

The development has generated mixed reactions among some church members. Two members who spoke to Saturday PUNCH anonymously described differing responses within the congregation, with some welcoming the marriage and others expressing reservations.

One source alleged that Jimmy and Mo's relationship had been a subject of discussion among people familiar with the family for years. The source also claimed that Mo had previously been close friends with Jimmy's elder sister, Pastor Toluwani Odukoya-Ijogun.

However, the newspaper noted that the absence of a public congratulatory message from Tolu on social media did not establish that she opposed the marriage or that there was a disagreement between the siblings.

Old Marriage Interviews Resurface

Interviews featuring Jimmy, his new wife and their former spouses have also circulated on social media, prompting fresh discussions about their previous marriages.

In an old interview marking the 10th wedding anniversary of Mo and her former husband, Adegboye, the pair reflected on their early relationship and the challenges of marrying young.

In another interview, Jimmy and Banjoko discussed the difficulties of their early years together, including the challenges of raising a family while living in different countries. Banjoko said the first five years of their marriage were challenging because she was based in London while Jimmy lived in Nigeria.

Some social media users subsequently speculated about whether the interviews offered clues to the difficulties experienced in the marriages. However, the interviews do not independently establish the reasons for either marriage breakdown.

Religious Leaders Differ on Divorce and Remarriage

Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, maintained that the Bible permits separation under certain circumstances but does not support divorce and remarriage.

He said couples facing threats to their lives could separate, but argued that they should not remarry, citing the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 19.

Similarly, Founder of Christ Apostolic Church, Light of Joy, Ibadan, Evangelist Alaba Akande, identified adultery as the major biblical ground for divorce. He maintained that the same standard applied to both men and women.

Founder of Help for the Family Ministry, Pastor Dayo St. John, described divorce and remarriage among pastors as a violation of biblical teachings. He argued that Christians who divorce and subsequently marry another person are committing adultery.

Meanwhile, Lead Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, blamed some failed pastoral marriages on what he described as a shallow understanding of Christianity and the responsibilities of marriage.

Achudume said marriage required sacrifice, commitment and responsibility, rather than only emotional attachment. He also urged pastors to be more open about marital disagreements and how they resolve them instead of presenting an unrealistic picture of perfect Christian homes.

Counsellors Identify Causes of Marital Breakdown

Marriage counsellor Ibrahim Olalere attributed some divorces among religious leaders to incompatibility, comparison and the influence of social media.

He said some religious leaders discovered after marriage that their spouses did not share the same level of religious commitment, while social media content from people without professional counselling backgrounds could create unrealistic expectations about marriage.

Another counsellor with FamilyLife Nigeria, JeNom Makama, identified the failure of some pastors to balance ministerial responsibilities with their marital obligations as a contributing factor.

Makama argued that some pastors devoted more attention to church activities than their marriages, leaving their spouses feeling neglected. He also cited differing interpretations of biblical teachings, the growing acceptance of divorce among Christians and women's increasing economic independence as factors influencing marital decisions.

He further criticised what he described as unequal treatment of men and women during marriage counselling, saying women were sometimes advised to endure troubled marriages without equal attention being given to their husbands' conduct.

Church Yet to Comment

Saturday PUNCH reported that efforts to obtain an official response from The Fountain of Life Church were unsuccessful. Calls to the church's dedicated telephone numbers did not connect, while a spokesperson could not be reached. An email sent to the church had also not received a response as of 11pm on Friday.

Punch Newspapers