Rev. Mike Babatunde of Oritamefa Baptist Church, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, has stirred widespread reactions after a sermon on marital intimacy in which he made bold remarks about the roles of husbands and wives within Christian marriage.
Speaking during a Sunday service in April 2026, the cleric addressed married couples on the importance of sustaining physical affection and prioritising spousal connection over parental responsibilities.
Cleric defines marital intimacy in sermon
Addressing the congregation, Rev. Babatunde said wives should not allow motherhood to overshadow intimacy with their husbands.
“You who are married, your breasts belong to your husband, not the children. The children are just borrowing them. The real owner is your husband,” he stated, a comment that quickly circulated online and triggered debate among worshippers and social media users.
Pastor warns against neglecting husbands
He further cautioned that some women avoid intimacy due to concerns about maintaining their physical appearance, arguing that such behaviour can weaken marital unity.
According to him, openness in physical affection is essential for emotional bonding in Christian homes, as couples are expected to nurture closeness within marriage.
“You know, I see women who say, ‘I won’t let him touch me because I don’t want to lose my shape,’” he said, adding that some wives deliberately avoid responding to their husbands’ advances.
He concluded with a strong emphasis on marital duty, saying, “God asked him to touch your breast.”
The sermon has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with supporters describing it as a call for stronger marital bonds, while critics argue the language used was inappropriate for a religious setting.