Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has delivered a powerful message to women trapped in unhappy marriages, urging them to recognise their worth and leave relationships that no longer serve them. In a recent interview with Saturday Beats, the actress positioned herself as a strong advocate for fairness and mutual respect in marriage while challenging the culture of endurance at all costs.
Ogbodo made it clear that faithfulness must work both ways.
“I am an advocate for 50-50 in marriage. If you want me to be faithful to you, stay faithful to me. You just want (sexual) satisfaction? It’s a desire that you can control. You can control yourself; you are not an animal. Why can’t men stay the same? Why do men always make excuses for their failure? They always make excuses for their stupid behaviours,” she stated firmly.
She stressed that self-knowledge and self-love form the foundation of any healthy decision.
“First, you have to know who you are as a woman, know your worth, what you want and also love yourself enough. If you love yourself enough and know what your deal-breaker is in a relationship, and your wants and needs are not being met, then what are you doing in that relationship? I am not an advocate for suffering and smiling. If it is not working, you don’t have to die there,” Ogbodo added.
The actress also broadened the conversation around abuse. She explained that harm in marriage often goes beyond physical violence.
“Abuse is not only physical. There’s mental and psychological abuse. When you start to make a woman feel less of herself, you are abusing her mentally and psychologically. You’re making her feel she’s not worth it; that your side chick is better.”
At the same time, she acknowledged that not every man falls short.
“Some men are actually well-disciplined, they don’t do these things, they understand the ethics of marriage and good relationships,” she noted.
The comments come months after Ogbodo publicly confirmed the end of her marriage to Bobby Maris following roughly eight years together. She has previously spoken about the emotional pressure many women face when deciding to leave, and this latest interview continues her call for women to prioritise their happiness and dignity.
Her words have already sparked discussion online, with many praising the emphasis on self-worth while others debate the practical realities of walking away.