Nigerian cleric and marriage counsellor, Bisi Adewale has clarified comments he recently made about the role of men in marriage, stating that he never suggested husbands should abandon their responsibility to provide for their families.

Adewale made the clarification in a statement released on Wednesday following widespread reactions to a viral video clip from a sermon he delivered at a gathering of men.

According to him, some people misunderstood his remarks that a man’s primary responsibility in marriage is spiritual leadership, interpreting the statement as a dismissal of financial provision.

He explained that his message was not intended to downplay the importance of providing for one’s family but to highlight the significance of spiritual guidance within the home.

Adewale reaffirmed that the Bible places a clear obligation on husbands to care for the material needs of their households. Referencing 1 Timothy 5:8, he said any man who intentionally neglects that duty acts contrary to biblical teachings.

He noted that husbands are expected to work diligently to meet essential family needs, including food, housing, education and security.

While emphasising that financial provision is necessary, Adewale argued that it should not be viewed as the sole measure of successful leadership in marriage.

The cleric said his earlier remarks were focused on what he described as God’s order for the family, rather than an attempt to rank spiritual leadership above provision in importance.

According to him, the first responsibility assigned to man in scripture centred on his relationship with God and his duty to lead according to divine principles.

He cited biblical figures such as Adam, Abraham and Joshua as examples of men who were called to provide spiritual direction for their households.

Adewale maintained that husbands are expected to model godly values, teach scriptural principles and guide their families in faith.

He further warned that material success without spiritual guidance could leave families lacking moral and character development.

According to him, a husband may fulfil financial obligations yet fall short in leadership if he fails to instill values and provide direction for his family.

The marriage counsellor concluded that biblical teaching does not present financial provision and spiritual leadership as competing responsibilities. Rather, he said, a godly husband is expected to fulfil both roles, providing for present needs while helping shape the future of his family through spiritual guidance.