Award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s polygamy comments have set tongues wagging across the country after he shared personal views on marriage during a recent event for his new project.
It happened at a watch party for Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens is the follow-up to his hit Netflix series. Guests packed the venue, excited for the screening. Then Afolayan took the mic, talking about life, legacy, and family. He got candid quick.
“I’m in and out of court seeking a divorce,” he said. “I don’t mind the toll. So I can marry many wives now.” The room went quiet for a second, then chatter picked up. Phones came out. Clips hit social media almost instantly, racking up views and shares.
Afolayan tied it back to his roots. His late father, Adeyemi Afolayan – better known as Ade Love in theatre circles – had ten wives and dozens of children. Kunle is the seventh from one branch.
“Without my father, there wouldn’t be a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan,” he explained, referring to his production hub. He called on men to consider multiple partners, saying it keeps legacies alive. “Life is short,” he added. “Use your period.”
His daughter Eyiyemi joined him onstage, smiling as he spoke about fatherhood. The moment felt warm, but the bigger message stuck – a full embrace of polygamy, something he once pushed back against.
Rewind to 2021. In an interview, Afolayan said no thanks to following his dad’s path. He talked about the struggles – poverty in early years, siblings scattered across homes, and bonding tough across language lines sometimes. “I would not want to marry many wives,” he said then, clear as day.
He married Tolu back in 2007, and they share four children. Reports of separation surfaced around 2019, tied to infidelity claims. Things turned messy publicly for a bit, but both moved forward quietly. His recent court mention suggests loose ends still need tying up, or perhaps final steps.
The filmmaker stays busy otherwise. Aníkúlápó put Yoruba stories on global screens, blending myth and drama. The sequel promises more intensity, with Saro facing darker forces.
Out in Lagos cafes and on timelines, conversations flow. One fan posted about respecting choices. Another worried it sets odd examples for young guys. Polygamy isn’t new here – it’s legal under customary law and common in some circles. But hearing it from a big name like Afolayan hits different.
He wrapped up his talk positively, stressing building for the future. With projects lining up and family growing – including kids stepping into the industry – his plate stays full.
No word yet from his side on the backlash or praise. The video keeps circulating, though. In Nollywood, where personal lives mix with public work, moments like this linger. Fans watch the screens but also the man behind them. Whatever comes next, Kunle Afolayan keeps making noise – on set and off.
