“Polygamy Keeps Homes Stable” — Alibaba Sparks Debate With Bold Marriage Take
Alibaba’s Polygamy Take Breaks the Internet
Veteran comedian Atunyota Akpobome, famously known as Alibaba, has set social media ablaze after declaring that polygamy helps keep homes stable.
In a recent interview with media personality Nedu, Alibaba didn’t just touch a nerve — he pressed a cultural button that Nigeria never stops arguing about: monogamy versus polygamy. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to the comedy legend, the idea that one man should only marry one woman is not as practical as many modern couples think.
“Some people feel if it’s only one wife, you may not be able to control the wife. But if the wife knows that you have more than one, she will calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person is available,” he said.
The Cultural Logic Behind Alibaba’s Argument
Alibaba’s reasoning draws from traditional Yoruba and Ibadan practices, where polygamy wasn’t just accepted — it was strategic.
He revealed that in some old communities, wives themselves encouraged their husbands to take another wife, often as a way to maintain peace and keep the man from sneaking around.
“I actually know of a woman in Ibadan who encouraged her husband to be a polygamist. Most of them back then married a young girl and gifted her to the husband because they didn’t want the man to have concubines,” Alibaba said.
He also noted that in older customs, widows with children were sometimes married off to their late husband’s brother — a move to keep the family structure intact.
To him, polygamy was a “social system built on responsibility and preservation of family lineage,” not just about having multiple women.
Nigerians React: “Is Alibaba Right or Stuck in the Past?”
The reactions online have been fiery.
While some fans hailed Alibaba for “speaking hard truths,” others slammed the comedian, accusing him of romanticizing patriarchy.
One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“Polygamy doesn’t keep homes stable. It keeps men comfortable and women stressed.”
Another argued:
“He’s not wrong. In many families, side chicks destroy homes. If everyone knows their place legally, maybe there’ll be less chaos.”
The divide is clear — for some Nigerians, Alibaba’s statement is cultural wisdom; for others, it’s outdated thinking wrapped in nostalgia.
Between Modern Love and Traditional Reality
Interestingly, Alibaba’s take mirrors an ongoing national debate.
In an era where Nigerian women are more financially independent, educated, and vocal, polygamy feels like a throwback. But culturally, it never really left — it just went underground.
Across many Nigerian states, especially in northern and traditional communities, polygamy is still practiced — quietly or openly.
Even among urban elites, some men maintain multiple relationships under the guise of “extended family life.”
So when Alibaba calls polygamy “a stabilizing system,” he’s echoing what many elders already believe: that the problem isn’t multiple wives — it’s irresponsible men.
The Bigger Picture: Culture vs. Convenience
What Alibaba may have reignited is a conversation about how Nigerian families balance love, culture, and morality.
Polygamy might have deep historical roots, but modern realities — from gender equality to financial stress — are reshaping what stability means in homes today.
Still, in true comedian style, Alibaba left Nigerians with a punchline wrapped in wisdom and controversy. Whether he’s right or wrong, one thing is certain — he just reminded everyone that polygamy in Nigeria isn’t a closed chapter, it’s a living conversation.
💬 What do you think?
Is Alibaba just defending cultural truth, or making excuses for unfaithful men?
Drop your thoughts below — the comment section is already on fire 🔥