“90 to 99% of Men Cheat, Embrace Polygamy” – Bimbo Akintola Sparks Debate
Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has ignited a wave of online controversy following her bold remarks about infidelity and polygamy in Nigerian society. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Speaking during a candid podcast conversation with fellow actress Ayo Adesanya, Akintola claimed that cheating is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, going as far as to say that “90 to 99% of men cheat by default.”
The discussion began when Adesanya read a message from a woman troubled by her boyfriend’s unfaithfulness. In response, Akintola argued that cheating is not a modern issue but one ingrained through generations, heavily influenced by cultural acceptance of polygamy.
“The majority of our men cheat. Your father cheated, sir. Sorry, I’m sorry. Your grandfather did. Polygamy, polygamy. Yes, my father has two wives,” she said unapologetically.
Akintola questioned the origins of monogamy in African society, claiming that fidelity is a foreign concept for many and that male infidelity is often learned behavior.
“Some men grew up following their fathers to visit girlfriends. I don’t know where this idea of fidelity came from in Africa. The reality is, 90% of our men cheat — it’s ingrained in them,” she added.
She further urged women to be realistic about their expectations in relationships, rather than constantly chasing ideals shaped by modern media or Western standards.
“You leave one man because he cheated, and go to another, same issue. Jay-Z cheated on Beyoncé. Did she leave? No. Let’s be honest about the reality we live in,” Akintola noted.
Public Reactions: Mixed and Fiery
The actress’s comments quickly went viral, sparking heated reactions across social media platforms. While some applauded her for speaking “hard truths” about cultural realities, others criticized her for normalizing infidelity and dismissing accountability.
An Instagram user, @omah_licha_nwa, commented:
“Lol these are the enablers of bad behavior that we keep talking about, but ok, go off sis 👏.”
Another, @bjay_9ja, questioned:
“But who fears DNA tests more?”
As the conversation continues to trend, it’s clear that Akintola’s views have reopened the long-standing debate around monogamy, cultural norms, and relationship expectations in modern Nigeria.