Lagos, Nigeria — Veteran Nigerian comedian and social commentator, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has openly declared his support for polygamy, saying the practice can help promote discipline and stability in marriages.
Ali Baba made this known in a preview clip from an upcoming episode of The Clarity Zone podcast, which was shared on social media over the weekend.
Speaking during the interview, the comedy legend explained that some men prefer having more than one wife because it allows them to better manage their homes and maintain harmony.
According to him, in some cases, women tend to be more respectful and cooperative when they know their husbands have other wives.
“Some people believe that if you have only one wife, you may not be able to control her,” Ali Baba said. “But if the wife knows you have more than one, she’ll calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person will take her place.”
Ali Baba, often regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian comedy, also noted that polygamy has deep roots in African culture and history. He said that, in the past, it was not unusual for women to support their husbands in marrying additional wives to prevent infidelity or secret relationships outside marriage.
He further recalled that in traditional societies, when a man died young, his brothers often married his widow — not out of selfishness, but to ensure that she and her children were properly cared for.
“In those days, it wasn’t about greed or pleasure,” he explained. “It was about responsibility, protection, and family unity.”
While acknowledging that modern society views polygamy differently, Ali Baba argued that the practice still has value for those who choose it, especially when handled with honesty and respect.
“Polygamy may not be for everyone,” he said, “but it is a system that worked for generations, and I personally believe in it.”
Ali Baba’s remarks have since gone viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. Some Nigerians supported his stance, describing it as a return to cultural roots, while others condemned it as outdated and unfair to women.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions poured in from users across the country.
User @omoidegallent commented:
“Ali Baba really woke up and chose ancestral Wi-Fi with this one 😭. Man’s talking like polygamy is a disciplinary tool, not a marriage. Next thing you know, they’ll be calling it ‘management strategy.’ The comedy is writing itself at this point — but hey, Naija never runs out of hot takes.”
Another user, @cessyonuba, wrote:
“Wow… so women being ‘respectful and cooperative’ is only valuable when there’s a threat of another wife? That’s not culture, that’s control disguised as tradition. Polygamy isn’t a system for discipline… it’s a system that benefits men at the emotional expense of women.”
Some users, however, agreed with the comedian.
@hmbventuress said:
“After all, all the prophets both in the Bible and the Quran are polygamous.”
Another, @lanreofficial11, shared his thoughts:
“Bro, 2 wives or more is good TBH, but don’t let them stay together. Having 1 wife by following this BS culture is gonna ruin you as a man — bookmark this. A time is coming when you won’t have that power again, and that’s when your woman will remember when you cheated during school days. You will suffer.”
Also joining the conversation, @prince_dc21 listed what he called the “importance of polygamy”:
“There won’t be motherless babies’ homes.
Hookup and prostitution will reduce because those girls will be married.
Men will live longer.
It will help grow the society through human power.
It will unite tribes together.”
Ali Baba, known for blending humour with social commentary, said his comments were not meant to promote immorality but to inspire honest conversations about traditional family values and changing relationships in today’s world.
