Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the bride price culture in Mbaise, Imo State, following a viral video in which a young man claimed he was asked to pay ₦1 million as the bride price.
In a video addressing the controversy, Kanayo dismissed these claims as exaggerated and unfairly targeted at Mbaise traditions. “My attention has been drawn to a video circulating online in which a young man states that when he went to Mbaise, he was asked to pay one million naira as bride price,” he began.
The outspoken actor further clarified that bride prices vary from family to family, even within Mbaise.
He stated, “I have been a son of southeastern Nigeria, and I know that 85% of communities do not have a standardized bride price written down. It varies from one family to another. In Mbaise, I know that the amount can differ significantly from family to family. For instance, what may be one million naira for one family could be as low as twenty thousand naira for another. So, let’s not allow anyone to vilify Mbaise for this stereotype. I refuse to accept it! Every point in the southeast, in every state, has families with their own specific requests. We should not let social media narratives tarnish Mbaise or its daughters. As a respected individual, I will not fall for such misconceptions. We have highly esteemed young women who make excellent wives.”
His remarks have sparked discussions in the comments section about the cultural significance of bride price and the negotiation process.