Renowned Nigerian comedian and actor, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, widely known as Okey Bakassi, has sparked a discussion about marriage practices in Africa, arguing that polygamy aligns better with African realities than monogamy.
Speaking on the Honest Bunch Podcast, Bakassi suggested that monogamous marriages are failing in the region, with many couples merely pretending to be happy.
“Forget all the lip service we pay to polygamy here. I still think polygamy is the best form of marriage for Africa. Monogamy is not working,” he said. “Polygamy allows you to marry two people at the same time. Monogamy says you can’t—you have to let one go. But what if you don’t want to let one go?”
Adding to the controversy, Nollywood veteran Stephen Alajemba, popularly known as Uwaezuoke, claimed that having fewer than three wives is sinful and poses risks to men.
In an interview with Ugwumba TV, Alajemba warned that men with only one or two wives might face conspiracy or even poisoning from their spouses.
“It’s a sin to marry one or two wives,” Alajemba stated. “But if you marry three or four, you will be free from sin. One wife puts your life at risk, as two wives may conspire against you. With three or more, they remain independent, and you just provide for them, taking turns with their meals and company.”
Both celebrities’ remarks have reignited debates around polygamy, marriage dynamics, and cultural traditions in Africa, drawing mixed reactions from the public.