Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has stirred conversation with her candid views on infidelity and polygamy in Nigerian society, insisting that both will continue to exist due to deep-rooted cultural patterns.
Speaking during a podcast chat with fellow actress Ayo Adesanya, the 55-year-old actress argued that the majority of Nigerian men are unfaithful in relationships, claiming that “90 to 99 percent” of them cheat on their partners.
Akintola linked this widespread behavior to generational and cultural influences, noting that many men grow up in homes where infidelity is normalized and, in some cases, encouraged.
“I don’t know where this idea of fidelity in Africa came from. Your father cheats, your grandfather cheated, my father has two wives,” she said.
According to her, boys who witness their fathers engaging in extramarital affairs or keeping multiple partners often adopt the same lifestyle, making it difficult for them to uphold fidelity later in life.
She stressed that character development begins early, suggesting that some men start picking up such habits as children.
“I hear characters are fully formed when you’re seven years old. Some of them started by following their daddy to girlfriends’ houses,” Akintola explained.
While clarifying that she was not endorsing infidelity, the actress maintained that women need to be realistic when dealing with such situations, as leaving one partner for another does not guarantee change.
“I can’t tell you whether to stay or leave, but you leave this one and move to the next one, you still have the same issue. They all cheat, 90 percent of them cheat, it’s engraved in them,” she added.
Akintola’s remarks have since sparked debate, highlighting the complexities of fidelity, cultural norms, and expectations in Nigerian relationships.
