Nigerian comedian and actor Okey Bakassi has sparked a debate on marriage dynamics in Africa, boldly stating that polygamy is the ideal form of marriage for the continent.

Appearing on the Honest Brunch podcast with Nebu Wazobia, Bakassi criticized the current emphasis on monogamy, claiming it doesn’t work and that polygamy is a more suitable model for African societies.

“Forget all the lip services that we pay to polygamy here,” Bakassi began. “I still think that polygamy is the best form of marriage for Africa. Monogamy is not working.” His comments quickly caught the attention of listeners, with many on social media weighing in with varying opinions on his statements.

Bakassi pointed out the underlying issues with monogamy in modern relationships, questioning its sustainability. “We are pretending,” he continued.

“Now, what’s the difference between polygamy and monogamy? Polygamy says you can marry two people at the same time. Monogamy says you cannot marry them at the same time, you have to let one go. What if you don’t want to let one go?”

These words have resonated with some, while others have disagreed, arguing that monogamy, despite its challenges, fosters deeper emotional connections and stability within families.

Bakassi’s stance, however, suggests that the rigidity of monogamy in contemporary African societies does not account for the realities that many people face when dealing with love, affection, and human desires.

The actor’s comments come in the context of ongoing discussions about marriage models in African cultures. While polygamy has deep cultural roots across many African communities, its practice has become a controversial topic in recent years, especially as social norms evolve.

In his argument, Bakassi highlighted the complexity of monogamous relationships, stating that when someone finds themselves in love with more than one person, the constraints of monogamy can become problematic.

“Why are we forcing people to choose? If someone feels love for two partners, why should they be told to pick one?

That doesn’t seem natural,” he stated, adding that monogamy often leads to frustrations when one partner is expected to fulfil all of the other’s emotional and physical needs.

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