Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has set social media ablaze after making a bold and controversial claim about infidelity among Nigerian men.
During a candid conversation on Ayo Adesanya TV, the screen legend argued that cheating is so deeply woven into Nigeria’s cultural fabric that very few men escape it.
In her words:
“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.”
Ayo Adesanya quipped: “Mine too.”
Bimbo Akintola continued:
“I don’t know where this idea of fidelity came from in Africa. The reality is 90 to 99% of our men cheat, it’s ingrained in them. Some even grew up following their fathers to see girlfriends.”
Akintola’s blunt remarks immediately sparked mixed reactions online.
While some viewers agreed with her, citing Nigeria’s long history of polygamy and patriarchal traditions, others strongly disagreed, insisting that painting almost every Nigerian man as a cheat was unfair and damaging. See some reactions in screenshot below:
In same interview, Bimbo Akintola opened up about the evolution of Nollywood, contrasting the raw hunger and passion that once defined the industry with the glamour-driven focus of today.
Akintola recalled the early years of her career, when actors gave their all for the love of storytelling rather than financial gain or fame.
The actress explained that the Nollywood of today tells a different story. According to her, many new-generation actors are more preoccupied with physical appearance involving BBLs and makeup, rather than the art itself.
While acknowledging Nollywood’s growth and global reach, Akintola stressed that the soul of the industry should never be lost to vanity. For her, true acting still lies in passion, grit, and the commitment to bringing characters to life, no matter the sacrifice.
