Raregems Coaching and Counselling, a Lagos-based firm founded by marriage coach Taiye Aluko, is set to establish a Marriage Academy aimed at training and certifying counsellors across Africa and beyond.
Founded in 2017, Raregems was born out of Aluko’s experience in the marriage counselling department of her church, where she observed rising marital breakdowns due to unrealistic expectations and lack of professional guidance. She decided to take counselling beyond the church, building a structured practice rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence, and practical coaching frameworks.
“Many couples invest heavily in their wedding ceremony but fail to prepare for the marriage itself. The cost of ill-preparation is higher, and the consequences can be devastating,” Aluko said in a note shared with The PUNCH.
Raregems has grown from one-on-one counselling to structured online courses such as Pathway to Forever and practical workbooks for couples. Its YouTube channel, ‘Transformation Timeout with Taiye’, has helped the firm extend its reach to audiences outside Nigeria. Aluko also volunteers as a counsellor at the Federal Marriage Registry in Ikoyi, where she and a team provide free guidance to couples about to wed.
Looking ahead, Aluko said Raregems would formalise its work by creating a hub for marriage education and coaching through the planned academy.
“In the long term, my vision is to establish Raregems as a leading hub for marriage education and coaching across Africa and globally. I want to train and certify counsellors who can multiply the impact in their communities and ultimately launch a Raregems Marriage Academy,” she said.
Raregems targets mid-level executives, young professionals, and young married couples who are committed to personal growth and marital success. Its approach combines counselling, coaching and mentoring, drawing from Aluko’s 25 years of lived experience in marriage alongside her training as an Emotional Intelligence Certified Professional.
The firm has received recognition in national media, including features in The Guardian and Women of Rubies, as well as appearances on Arise TV and Plus TV. Aluko has also received awards for her work from her church community, the Olive Tree Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
In the short term, Raregems is focused on expanding the reach of its online courses and digital platforms. In the long term, the marriage academy is expected to position the company as a continental leader in counselling, shaping how Africans approach marriage preparation and marital growth.
“My brand is not just about counselling people through problems; it’s about equipping couples to build marriages that thrive. Marriage can work, and it can be joyful, fulfilling, and lasting when couples are prepared and intentional,” Aluko said.
