By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has weighed in on the issue of infidelity and polygamy in Nigerian society, claiming that these issues are widespread and unlikely to change anytime soon.
In a candid conversation with fellow actress Ayo Adesanya during a podcast interview, Akintola asserted that a large percentage of Nigerian men—up to 90 to 99 percent—are unfaithful in their relationships.
The 55-year-old actress explained that infidelity is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s cultural and generational practices, with many men growing up in environments where cheating is normalized. Akintola suggested that some men even learn these behaviors from their fathers, who may have multiple partners.
“There’s a long history of this behavior,” Akintola said. “Your father cheats, your grandfather cheats, and in my case, my father had two wives. It’s a generational thing.”
She further noted that many men’s attitudes toward infidelity are formed early in life, often when they are still children, as they see their fathers engaging in such behavior.
“Some men learn it from following their fathers to other women’s homes when they’re young. It becomes part of who they are,” she said.
Despite acknowledging that infidelity is wrong, Akintola suggested that it’s ingrained in the culture, making it difficult for women to expect loyalty from their partners. She explained that even if women leave one relationship due to infidelity, they often encounter the same issue with another partner.
“I’m not saying it’s okay, but it’s part of the culture here. If you leave one man, you’ll still face the same issue with the next one,” she explained.
Akintola concluded by emphasizing that while the behavior is problematic, it’s important to recognize that many of these patterns are learned early in life, making them hard to break. “I’m not excusing it, I’m just being realistic about it.”
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