By Nonso Adigwe
Society Page Editor
In a move that has ignited heated debates across Nigeria, an autistic teenager adopted by Pastor Chibuzor Gift Chinyere of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) was reportedly married off in a highly publicized ceremony earlier this week.
The young man, whose mental condition affects his capacity to fully understand complex social situations, was wed to a significantly older woman in a wedding officiated by Pastor Chibuzor himself. The ceremony reportedly included lavish gifts and promises of long-term financial support.
According to statements released by the pastor, the decision to arrange the marriage was motivated by concerns over the teenager’s “uncontrollable sexual urges,” which Pastor Chibuzor claimed posed a risk to others in the household. He allegedly sought a fully-abled adult woman to help guide and manage the young man, offering monetary incentives for her consent.
Announcing the union on social media, Pastor Chibuzor detailed a series of generous offerings, including a house, a substantial cash gift, and overseas trips, framed as blessings for the newlyweds. He also suggested that the young man had begun to show developmental progress, claiming he could feed himself independently and expressing faith that divine intervention would lead to further healing.
However, the union has sparked immediate backlash from the public, human rights advocates, and disability organizations. Critics argue that an autistic individual cannot legally or ethically provide informed consent for marriage, and that the young man’s welfare should be the priority rather than orchestrating a marriage for financial or “behavioral” reasons.
Many have condemned the arrangement as exploitative, highlighting that marriage cannot substitute for the proper care, guidance, and protection that individuals with significant cognitive disabilities require. Social media platforms have erupted with debates, with some calling for government intervention and stricter oversight of the rights of vulnerable citizens.
Despite the outcry, Pastor Chibuzor continues to defend his actions as an act of faith and divine provision, emphasizing his belief in miracles and the transformative power of God in the young man’s life.
The incident raises broader questions about ethical boundaries, consent, and the responsibilities of caregivers toward those with severe disabilities—a conversation that Nigeria is now being forced to confront head-on.
