By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah
In Nigeria, marriage is often treated as a cultural badge of honour, a marker of stability and maturity. However, the reverse is true for public figures. For them, the pressure to marry is amplified by the constant gaze of fans and the media. While some stars rush into unions that later unravel, others have chosen to stay single, either deliberately or by circumstance. For these celebrities, their personal choices are a blend of independence, career focus, and private battles, reflecting the wider conversation in Nigeria about whether marriage must be the ultimate measure of success.
Below are some Nigerian celebrities who, although never married as of the time this report was published, have left indelible marks in entertainment, music, and sports — each carrying a narrative that challenges the myth that happiness must always come with a wedding ring.
1. Genevieve Nnaji
In the late 1990s, Nollywood was finding its voice, and a young woman from Mbaise, Imo State, rose to embody its grace and global reach. Genevieve Nnaji, born on May 3, 1979, is not just an actress and cultural icon. Her roles in films like “Most Wanted,” “Sharon Stone,” and later “Lionheart,” which Netflix acquired as its first Nigerian film, placed her at the forefront of a changing industry.
Yet, amid her glittering career, Genevieve never walked down the aisle. Over the years, tabloids spun rumours about lovers and near-marriages, but she maintained a dignified silence. In a 2013 Punch interview, she offered a rare glimpse into her heart: “If I get married, it will be for me, not because society is pressuring me. Marriage is not the yardstick of happiness.”
Raising her daughter, Chimebuka, away from the limelight, she redefined motherhood and independence in a society where single mothers often carry stigma. Her story is less about defiance than about choice, a woman who decided that personal peace matters more than public approval. Genevieve’s quiet rebellion has inspired countless Nigerian women to chase careers, raise families, and seek joy on their own terms.
2. Bimbo Akintola
If Genevieve is Nollywood’s jewel, Bimbo Akintola is its pillar of resilience. Born on May 5, 1970, in Ibadan, she has been a household name since starring in Owo Blow (1995). Her stage presence and screen charisma, coupled with a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, have made her one of the industry’s most respected figures.
But beyond the accolades lies a story of a woman who has defied convention. In a 2017 Guardian interview, Akintola declared without hesitation: “I am single and happy. I have no plan to marry just because people think I should.” It was not said in bitterness but in a calm assertion of agency.
At over 50, when society often portrays single women as lonely or incomplete, Akintola radiates confidence. Friends describe her as someone who values solitude, peace, and her art. For her, marriage is not a void to be filled; it is simply a choice she has chosen not to prioritise. Her stance unsettles many, yet it also frees others, especially younger women, to imagine lives not confined to cultural timelines. In every performance and every interview, Bimbo Akintola reminds us that joy is not one-size-fits-all.
3. Falz (Folarin Falana)
In the world of Nigerian music, few voices are as witty and socially conscious as Falz’s. Born October 27, 1990, the son of prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, Folarin Falana has built a career mixing satire with sound. His breakout hit “This Is Nigeria” (2018) made him a household name, earning praise from fans who see him as both entertainer and commentator.
Still, beyond his clever lyrics and acting ventures, Falz remains unmarried. At 34, his bachelorhood is a recurring subject in interviews and on social media. In a 2020 Guardian Life conversation, he joked, “I think I have married music already. Commitment is not my problem; I just haven’t found the right partner.”
Unlike women who face harsher judgment, Falz’s singleness is most times treated with humour: memes, playful taunts, and fan curiosity. But beneath the jokes is a reality: he has chosen to focus on building his art and activism first. Falz represents a generation of Nigerian men who are less hurried by tradition, more focused on carving identities before embracing family life.
4. Denrele Edun
There is no Nigerian entertainer quite like Denrele Edun. Born June 13, 1981, to a Yoruba father and an Indian-Mauritian mother, Denrele is flamboyance personified. His career as a TV host, actor, and fashion icon has always been wrapped in controversy, but he thrives in that space, wearing eccentricity like a badge of honour.
Amid his colourful life, Denrele has never married. In a 2017 Premium Times interview, he admitted: “For now, no. I am very single.” For someone constantly in the public eye, that declaration was both simple and powerful. His life, filled with bold outfits, unconventional choices, and unfiltered honesty, leaves little room for societal boxes.
Critics often speculate about his private life, but Denrele appears unbothered. His refusal to conform is not just about fashion but also about life choices. For him, marriage is not a rite of passage but an option, and one he has chosen to delay indefinitely. In this way, Denrele challenges both the expectations placed on celebrities and Nigeria’s broader understanding of masculinity and fulfilment.
5. Chika Ike
Born November 8, 1985, in Onitsha, Anambra State, Chika Ike has crafted a dual legacy as an actress and entrepreneur. A graduate of Human Kinetics from the University of Lagos, she later honed her business skills at Harvard Business School. Known for films like “Mirror of Beauty” and “To Love a Stranger,” Ike embodies a blend of glamour and grit.
Despite her success, Chika has never married. She has been open about relationships in the past, but is firm about her boundaries. In a 2019 Instagram post, she wrote: “I will never settle for less because of societal pressure. Marriage is beautiful, but it must be right.” That clarity of vision is rare in an industry where female celebrities are often defined by their relationship status.
Instead of chasing timelines, Ike invested her energy into building businesses in fashion and real estate, proving that a woman’s worth is not tied to the surname she bears. Her narrative resonates with younger Nigerians who are beginning to see marriage as a choice rather than a compulsion. In many ways, she represents a new era of bold, independent African women who script their own definitions of fulfilment.
6. Nancy Isime
Nancy Isime was born on December 17, 1991, in Edo State. She is one of Nigeria’s most dynamic media personalities. Starting as a model and later becoming an actress and TV host, she has carved a niche as the face of youth culture, hosting major events like “The Headies” and “The Voice Nigeria.” Her bright smile and charm have made her beloved by audiences nationwide.
But Nancy, despite her fame, has never married. Interviewers often prod, and fans speculate, but she remains focused on her career. In a 2020 interview with The Nation, she said, “I believe in love and marriage, but I will never rush into it. I am building myself first.”
Her words strike at the heart of a cultural dilemma – the pressure to marry young versus the need for self-actualisation. Nancy represents a generation unafraid to choose the latter. In her unapologetic singlehood, she teaches that building personal foundations is as important as building families.
7. Brymo (Olawale Ashimi)
Olawale Ashimi, known as Brymo, is Nigeria’s poet-musician, born May 9, 1986, in Okokomaiko, Lagos. With his soul-stirring song “Ara” and experimental albums like “Yellow” and “Theta,” Brymo has built a reputation as an ‘iconoclast,” one who refuses to conform to musical or social rules.
That nonconformity extends to his personal life. Brymo has never married, though he has long-term partnerships. In a 2018 interview with Pulse NG, he said, “I don’t believe marriage is the ultimate. I believe in companionship, in love, in raising kids, but I don’t need a certificate to validate it.” His stance, though controversial, reflects a questioning spirit that defines his art.
For Brymo, life is about fluidity – in music, in relationships, and even in existence itself. His bachelorhood is less about avoidance than about philosophy: a rejection of societal scripts that limit love to rituals and documents. In that way, his life and work both challenge Nigeria to rethink old notions of permanence and partnership.
From the foregoing, these eight celebrities remind us that fulfilment wears many faces. In a culture where marriage is exalted as the ultimate milestone, their stories break the rhythm, thereby introducing alternative melodies of self-determination. Some chose career over convention; others found companionship without ceremony; still others simply decided to wait.
What binds them is courage: the courage to live without apology, to craft narratives that stand apart from societal timelines. In their lives, we find echoes of a larger generational shift: Nigerians, especially the young, are slowly embracing the idea that happiness is not a uniform garment but a tailor-made attire.
