I spent almost nothing on my wedding because we used a family friend’s compound

• Pastor Dolapo Lawal advised men not to spend ₦10m–₦20m on weddings if they don't own a car.

• He said a car is a better investment because it can generate income through services like Uber.

• The pastor encouraged couples to hold smaller weddings with close family and friends instead of lavish celebrations.

• He used Pastor Mike's modest wedding, attended by fewer than 100 guests, as an example that a happy marriage doesn't require an expensive ceremony.

Lead Pastor of The Zoe Household Global, Pastor Dolapo Lawal, has sparked conversations online after advising men against spending millions of naira on extravagant weddings while they don't own a car.

Speaking during a church service, the pastor said it makes little financial sense to organise a lavish ceremony worth ₦10 million to ₦20 million without having basic assets that can serve as a source of income.

According to him, owning a car in today's Nigeria is not just about convenience but can also become a business opportunity when times get tough.

"You don't have business doing a wedding, spending 20 million on a wedding if you don't have a car. Because right now in Nigeria, cars are a business opportunity. The day you are hungry, you can do Uber."

He continued by urging couples to cut down on wedding expenses instead of trying to impress guests.

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"You don't go and burn money. You have no business spending 15 million, 10 million on any wedding."

Turning to the women in the congregation, he added:

"Ladies, are you hearing me? That 10 million, let them bless us. Let 30, 40 of our friends come."

To drive home his point, Pastor Lawal invited another pastor, identified as Pastor Mike, to share how he and his wife got married.

Pastor Mike revealed that their wedding was deliberately simple, with fewer than 100 guests and held at the compound of a family friend to avoid unnecessary expenses.

"So it wasn't anything elaborate, just a few friends. I think we were less than 100 actually and we used the compound of a family friend."

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He also disclosed that the church provided the sound system, while his brother-in-law handled the DJ services, meaning they spent very little on entertainment.

Pastor Lawal then pointed to the couple's marriage as proof that a successful wedding isn't measured by how much money is spent.

"Show them your ring. Is he married? Are they happy? Selah. God bless you."

His comments have since generated reactions online, with many Nigerians agreeing that, amid rising living costs and economic hardship, couples should focus more on building their future together than spending heavily on a one-day event. Others, however, argued that how much people choose to spend on their wedding should remain a personal decision.