Nollywood actor Daniel Etim Effiong has ignited massive debate after suggesting that a wife’s first response to a cheating husband should be finding ways to help him overcome the problem rather than focusing on her own pain.
The actor made the controversial statement during a conversation with media personality Ife Agoro. He argued that cheating should first be viewed as a personal struggle the offending partner is facing.
Daniel Etim Effiong said:
“If someone messes up in a marriage, your first approach should be, ‘How can I help you?’”
He explained that the cheating partner is already “in a problem” and needs support to get out of it before the couple can begin healing together. Daniel stressed that love “is not self-seeking” and focusing only on personal hurt would not solve the underlying issue.
Ife Agoro strongly pushed back against the idea, questioning why the betrayed partner should prioritise helping the cheater over processing their own emotional pain. The exchange quickly went viral, with many netizens criticising Daniel’s perspective as one-sided and unrealistic.
The actor’s comments have divided opinions online. While some viewed it as a mature approach to marriage repair, many others argued it places an unfair burden on the victim of betrayal and ignores accountability. Several women pointed out the double standard, asking if the same advice would apply if the wife was the one who cheated.