Nollywood veteran Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has set social media abuzz with her recent advice on dealing with in-laws who don’t approve of you.
The actress, speaking to TVC’s Morayo Afolabi Brown, suggested that spouses should “try everything possible” to make a good impression, but warned that some parents are impossible to win over.
“I will advise that if the families of the spouse don’t like you, try everything you possibly can to make them understand you. But there are some parents that are hell-bent on not liking you regardless of what you do, they already have a prejudice,” Omotola said.
Her comments sparked a heated debate online, with many netizens disagreeing with her stance:
@iam_dasah said, “Just run. If they don’t like you, especially if they’re low-key tribalistic.” @omoruyi218 commented, “If the family no like you, run. Some will even pass that hatred to your children.” @naa_akoshia16 said, “Run o, don’t force anyone to like you. If it’s not there, you shouldn’t fake it.” @chiddynwa asked, “For how long will you continue to perform for them?”
Omotola also spoke about the reality of her own marriage to Mathew Ekehinde, highlighting honesty, partnership, and mutual respect as the foundation of their 27-year-long union.
She said that she and her husband are partners, and they both have a journey they would make with or without the other. According to the actress, their marriage is not treated like a sacred thing untouched because they both respect each other’s space and choice.”
Late last year, the couple shared a playful clip with fans answering relationship questions, where Omotola humorously lamented that her husband didn’t pick her as his ride-or-die, but called him her “forever honey boy” on their anniversary, praising his humility, happiness, and honor.
Omotola’s advice continues to divide opinion, as some see her perspective as a call for patience and effort, while others warn against forcing relationships where respect and acceptance are absent.