Nollywood actress Kemi Lala Akindoju has criticized the tradition of women adopting their husbands’ surnames after marriage, deeming it unbiblical and in need of reform. She believes women should have the freedom to decide whether to retain their maiden names or take on their husbands’ surnames.
Akindoju also questioned the concept of children belonging to the husband’s lineage, arguing that it is illogical given that women undergo the significant life-altering experience of childbirth, unlike men. She emphasized that, according to scripture, the union of marriage signifies that the couple becomes one, suggesting that they could combine their surnames rather than the woman automatically taking the man’s surname.
On her X account on Sunday, Akindoju expressed her thoughts: “Honestly, if we truly want to embody the idea of ‘two becoming one,’ couples should consider merging their surnames. I find it perplexing that children are automatically associated with the man’s lineage, surname, and the notion that the man ‘owns’ the child. This concept is troubling to me.
“Moreover, it is the woman who endures the transformative process of childbirth, yet she is often marginalized in this regard. While I do not have all the answers, I am troubled by the lack of scriptural basis for requiring a woman to adopt her husband’s name.
“Scripture indicates that the man cleaves to the woman, but this seems overlooked. The most important point is that a woman should have the choice to retain her name, adopt her husband’s name, or create a combined surname. It is interesting that boys are not raised with the expectation that their identity will change.”
She further remarked that the tradition of women changing their surnames to their husbands’ post-marriage serves to subordinate women. “A woman is often conditioned to relinquish a name and identity she has known all her life simply due to her gender. While I may not have all the answers, I firmly question this practice,” Akindoju concluded.
