I’m ready for marriage

By Rita Okoye

Nollywood actress and food entrepreneur Didi Ekanem has shared her thoughts on early marriage and women’s financial independence, urging young women to prioritise personal growth and empowerment before getting married.

According to the Akwa Ibom State-born film star, many women risk placing themselves in vulnerable positions when they abandon years meant for personal development in pursuit of marriage.

“A lot of men are stingy, especially in this generation. So, you will do yourself a great disservice if you use the years you are supposed to build yourself financially, mentally, and emotionally just chasing marriage,” she stated.

Ekanem further advised young women, particularly recent graduates, to view their mid-twenties as a crucial period for self-discovery and economic growth, rather than a race toward marriage.

“As a woman, the best gift to give yourself after graduation is not a husband, it is power. Marriage is beautiful, but it is not an achievement badge. If you walk into marriage empty, you’ll start looking for happiness in someone else. Empower yourself, build your name, build your skills, build your confidence and your bank account,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Ekanem revealed that she believes she is now ready for marriage because she has taken time to build her life and personal stability.

“If I had gotten married at 25, 27, or even 30, I would have left, because I was still trying to find my feet and empower myself. Now, I want to get married, you know why? Because I’ve been able to put my life together, now when I go into marriage, I’m not going in with expectations that might not even be met. I’m not going in with a survival mentality but with a partnership and that’s a different kind of peace in marriage. If my husband is not going to be able to do things for me, I’ll do it for myself and there’ll be no issues.”

Encouraging women to build their values before committing to marriage, Ekanem stressed that empowerment does not prevent a woman from maintaining a loving relationship if she meets the right partner.

“Before you set foot into marriage, make sure you have your own. You don’t want to go to a man’s house and become a piece of furniture,” she added.