Veteran Nigerian actress Bimbo Akintola has sparked conversation after openly calling on women and society at large to embrace polygamy. Speaking in a recent interview on the show Talk To B, the 55-year-old Nollywood star explained that polygamy has deep roots in Nigerian tradition, particularly among the Yoruba, where many families in past generations grew up in homes with two or more wives. She argued that the practice remains practical today, pointing to what she described as a shortage of men and the need for women to adjust their expectations of marriage.
Akintola recalled instances of women willingly welcoming second wives into their homes, including one she personally knew who arranged another marriage for her husband due to differences in sexual compatibility. According to her, this woman believed her husband’s needs were greater than hers and felt that bringing in a second wife would bring peace to their marriage. For Akintola, such examples highlight why people should not shy away from polygamy, but rather see it as a workable solution in modern relationships.
The actress, who made her screen debut in 1995 with Owo Blow and later rose to fame with Out of Bounds in 1997, added that while some people may focus on the disadvantages, others have always seen benefits in the system. She emphasized that if society insists on marriage as a key foundation, then the reality of fewer men should logically encourage openness to polygamy, making it acceptable for two women to share one man.
However, Akintola also offered a path for those who prefer monogamy. She linked the success of one-man-one-woman relationships to the way sons are raised, stressing that values instilled during upbringing determine how men treat women. She noted that society often places strict expectations on girls but fails to hold boys to the same standards. In her view, if parents teach their sons the same discipline and respect they teach their daughters, future relationships will reflect healthier values.
She explained that boys must be raised with the awareness that women deserve the same dignity as their mothers and sisters. According to her, the culture of cheating and polygamy often stems from what boys learn from their fathers or what they fail to learn from their mothers. Akintola believes that changing this cycle starts from the home, with mothers teaching their sons that their bodies, too, are sacred and guiding them to respect boundaries.
Beyond her views on marriage, Akintola has had a remarkable career spanning decades. Born on May 5, 1970, she studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan before breaking into Nollywood in the mid-1990s. Over the years, she has been recognized for her talent with multiple awards and nominations, including Best Actress at the 2015 Eko International Film Festival for her role in Heaven’s Hell. Despite her achievements, she recently revealed in an interview with TheCable Lifestyle that she has not yet married, further fueling public interest in her candid take on relationships and family life.
Her latest remarks continue to stir debate across social spaces, with many applauding her honesty while others challenge her position. For Akintola, however, the message remains clear—society should stop resisting polygamy and instead accept it as both part of tradition and a practical answer to the realities of today.
