NEWS
Kunle Afolayan Shocks Fans, Reveals Ongoing Divorce Battle to “Marry Many Wives,” Cites Polygamous Upbringing and Father’s Legacy as Inspiration
Renowned Nigerian filmmaker and actor, Kunle Afolayan, has sparked widespread reactions across social media after announcing that he is currently pursuing a divorce from his wife in order to gain the freedom to marry multiple women.
The startling revelation was made during a watch party for his latest movie, ‘Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens’, where Afolayan openly spoke about his personal life and the motivations behind his decision.
According to him, his upbringing in a polygamous household has largely shaped his present outlook on marriage and relationships.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral, the celebrated filmmaker did not mince words about his intentions.
“I am in and out of court seeking a divorce. I don’t mind the toll. So I can marry many wives now,” he said.
The statement instantly ignited intense debates online, with many Nigerians expressing shock, curiosity, and mixed feelings over the actor’s bold declaration.
Afolayan went further to connect his stance on polygamy to the legacy of his late father, whom he described as a central figure behind both his existence and his professional accomplishments. The filmmaker disclosed that his father had ten wives and credited this family structure as a foundation for his own life journey.
“Without my father, there wouldn’t be a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan. I am the seventh child of my father because he had ten wives,” he said, while encouraging men to consider embracing polygamy.
Expanding on his perspective, Afolayan argued that multiple relationships can play a role in shaping destinies and sustaining family legacies.
“For the men, marry many women, or rather be involved with many women. You know why? If my father didn’t, he would not have born me, and that is the honest truth.
“But today, a few of us are lifting his legacy. Life is short, death is constant. Nobody has life forever. Everybody has a period. Use your period.”
The comments have generated strong reactions, with supporters praising his honesty and personal choice, while critics accuse him of promoting a lifestyle that often comes with emotional and social consequences.
Interestingly, many observers have pointed out that Afolayan’s current position sharply contrasts with views he previously expressed about polygamy.
In a 2021 interview, the filmmaker had distanced himself from the practice, explaining that growing up in a large polygamous family exposed him to its challenges.
“I would not want to marry many wives because my father had 10 wives, and I knew what happened throughout that period. I knew that really distracted my father,” he said at the time.
He also revealed that his father had 25 children and struggled to effectively manage the family, noting that differences in language and culture among the wives and children made bonding difficult.
Despite those earlier reservations, Afolayan’s latest remarks suggest a significant shift in perspective, as he now openly credits his father’s marital choices as a major factor behind his own existence, success, and ability to carry forward the family legacy.
As the debate continues to rage online, many Nigerians are watching closely to see how the acclaimed filmmaker’s personal decisions will unfold and what impact they may have on his public image and family life.