Veteran actress Bimbo Akintola has called for Nigerians to embrace polygamy as a part of the country’s tradition.

In a recent interview with Biola Bayo, Akintola argued that polygamy was a common practice in Yoruba families, where men often have multiple wives.

She stated that the current perceived shortage of men in society makes it practical for two women to share one husband.

She said, “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.

Akintola shared a personal anecdote about a woman who brought a second wife into her home to alleviate pressure from her husband’s higher sexual needs.

According to Akintola, some women may even welcome sharing a husband as a way to maintain peace in the household.

“I know some women who would rather have a second wife. I even know someone who married a second wife for her husband so that she could have peace. They didn’t have the same libido. His was higher than hers, so she thought, ‘this man will kill me, let me find support,’ and she married a wife for him”, she added.

She also advised parents who prefer monogamy to focus on raising boys with strong values, teaching them discipline and respect from a young age to prevent infidelity and promiscuity.

“All these men we are talking about, who are polygamous and cheat, were raised by someone. Raise your son to be that kind of man so that future women, your daughters, will have men like that to marry”, she added.