Be financially, mentally stable before marrying, Chiwetalu Agu urges women

Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has urged women to focus on self-development and independence before getting married.

In a video posted on his Instagram page and cited Online on Monday, Agu stressed that marriage should not define a woman’s identity or sense of fulfillment. Instead, he said, women should strive to be mentally, spiritually, and financially stable before getting married.

His perspective on marriage comes amid ongoing conversations about gender roles and financial independence in relationships.

Agu, who has often used his platform to promote personal growth and self-reliance, said his message was aimed at encouraging women to find fulfillment and stability beyond marital expectations.

The best advice I can give you as a lady before you embark on the journey of marriage is to be a complete woman before you marry. Establish yourself as a woman before you marry. Make sure you are mentally, physically, spiritually and financially stable before you marry. Emphasis on being financially and spiritually stable.

It is not marriage that completes you as a woman. Your work, identity or sense of completeness as a woman does not depend on being married. You don’t need marriage to feel whole, valuable or fulfilled. Marriage should complement you, not complete you. Marriage should be a beautiful addition, not a missing piece,” he said.

Agu added that ladies should invest in themselves and their dreams or passions. He stated that complete reliance on a man can be a dangerous move.

Before you marry, build yourself up. Even if you are not financially stable, at least make sure you have something to do. At least make sure you have a handwork. At least make sure you have a business idea or a proper insight into what being independent is all about.

“God forbid if you marry into a family where your in-laws don’t like you and you have nothing to bring to the table, then sorry will be your name. God forbid if your husband divorces you over a small misunderstanding and you are not stable in any way.

“My dear, you will have to start life all over again because you leave with nothing. God forbid your husband dies and you have nothing of your own. If your in-laws happen to be a wicked set of people, they will strip you of everything your husband left for you,” he said.