Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has sparked fresh debate after urging Nigerians to accept polygamy as part of the country’s cultural tradition.
In a recent interview with fellow actress Biola Bayo, the 55-year-old movie star explained that polygamy has always been a common practice in many Yoruba households where men traditionally had more than one wife.
Shortage of Men Justifies Polygamy – Bimbo Akintola
Akintola argued that with the rising shortage of men in society, it only makes sense for two women to share one husband, stressing that polygamy could help address marital and social challenges.
She cited an example of a woman she knows who personally brought a second wife into her home to relieve the pressure from her husband’s high sexual drive. According to Akintola, some women even welcome the idea of sharing a husband as a way of maintaining peace and balance in their marriages.
Parents Should Raise Boys with Discipline
The actress further advised parents who prefer monogamy to focus on raising their sons with discipline and strong values, noting that many men who cheat or practice polygamy lack proper upbringing.
“With the way the world is going, people should embrace polygamy. You say marriage is everything, so if we don’t have enough men according to statistics, does that not mean two women to one man?
I also believe it is part of our tradition. Most of Generation X, Yorubas, and even our parents had two to three wives. It was something we saw while growing up. Maybe we also noticed the disadvantages, but some people say there are advantages too,” she said.
Akintola maintained that polygamy is deeply rooted in African culture, insisting it should not be dismissed outright, especially in today’s changing world.
No i don’t agree at all