Veteran Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has issued a stark warning to intending couples, advising them against marrying into families that do not genuinely accept them.
Speaking on The Morayo Show, the award-winning screen diva emphasized that while making an effort to win over disapproving in-laws is commendable, some prejudices are too deep-seated to be overcome by kindness or patience.
Omotola argued that marriage is already a challenging “lifelong journey,” and beginning it under a cloud of rejection sets the union up for unnecessary hardship.
She noted that bias rooted in ethnicity, background, or origin often resists even the most sincere overtures.
“As Omotola, I would advise that if your partner’s family does not like you, try everything you can to make them understand you.
“However, there are some parents who are already hellbent on not liking you and there is nothing you can do about it,” she said.
The actress warned that even when hostile families appear to soften, such changes can be temporary and unstable.
“Some may eventually change their minds, but even that can be dicey, as they might revert to their earlier stance. My honest advice is that it is not worth it,” she cautioned.
Omotola, who has been married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde since 1996, stressed the importance of a support system in sustaining a marriage.
“You need support at every stage. So, if these people are not going to support you from the beginning, you’re gonna have a very rough journey. If that is the life you want, then good luck. But if not, run,” she concluded.
Her advice comes as a voice of experience from one of Nigeria’s most enduring celebrity marriages, adding weight to the conversation about the role of extended family dynamics in marital success.
