My marriage… With Mrs Kehinde Okoroafor

My name is Mrs Kehinde Okoroafor. I am the Chief Executive Officer of a hair manufacturing company, NextLevel Hair Manufacturer. I’m also the founder of MakeMee Elegant Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on women empowerment, community outreach, and impacting lives.

I am a woman of faith, passionate about God, family, and service to humanity. My life’s work is centred on raising women, restoring dignity, and creating opportunities for people to thrive. Beyond business, I’m committed to giving back to society, from feeding programmes to empowering women through skills and independence.

How long have you been married?

I have been married for the past 27 years by God’s grace.

How did you meet your husband?

We met at Société Générale Bank Nigeria, where we were both working at the time.

Did you imagine it would lead to marriage, since you were from different tribes?

No. We started as colleagues, but God turned it into a love story.

What were his parents’ reactions to his proposal to you?

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His mother never wanted him to marry a Yoruba woman, but his father accepted me, and here we are, 27 years later.

How many children do you have?

I have three girls. I also have twins. One of them studied law and the other medicine.

In those years of marriage, what would you say were the best moments that you both have shared?

I would say it’s having kids together.

What advice would you give to younger couples aspiring to have a long marriage like yours?

My advice is simple: Put God first. Be friends first, laugh together, pray together, grow together, communicate and forgive quickly. Don’t go to bed angry. Pride destroys marriages. Respect each other in public and in private. Remember why you said ‘I do’ on the hard days. Marriage is not 50/50. Some days it’s 100/0. Show up for each other. With God, patience, and commitment, your marriage can stand.

Finally, what do you say about the increasing number of marriage breakups in Nigeria, and what would be your recommendations?

It’s heartbreaking to see. I believe many breakups happen because we now rush into marriage for the wrong reasons, including social media pressure, money, or looks, without building a foundation. We’ve also lost the place of counselling, patience, and forgiveness.

For my recommendations, I would say, go for godly counselling before marriage. Know each other’s values, not just vibes. Teach young people that marriage is work. It’s not just the wedding; it’s the everyday choosing. Bring God back into the home. Family altar, prayer, and godly mentors matter. Don’t give up too quickly. Seek help, talk to elders, go for therapy before you walk away. Marriage is still beautiful. It’s God’s idea. We just need to go back to doing it God’s way.