11th September, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Well-known Nigerian businesswoman and hair vendor Wanneka has taken to social media to share her thoughts on societal pressures surrounding marriage, particularly for women approaching 30.
Expressing surprise at the belief that marrying in one’s 30s is seen as taboo, Wanneka offered advice to single women, stressing the importance of marrying for the right reasons and not out of societal pressure.
In an emotional post, she wrote:
“Dear singles in the house, may you all marry well. May your first marriage be the last and the best. But here’s the thing—no rush, no desperation, no ‘I must marry by force.’ Let the man be into you and willing to marry you as much as you’re into him. Marriage is not a competition. Marry when you know and feel it’s right with your actual better half.”
Wanneka encouraged women not to worry about societal expectations or timelines, noting that marrying at 30 or later does not diminish the quality of their lives.
She pointed out that even if a woman marries at 31 and has a child that same year, by the time she is 61, she could have a 30-year-old child who might be married with children of their own.
She also addressed the common fear among women that marrying later in life might be too late:
“Would you rather marry your enemy in your 20s or your real husband, the one God has destined for you, in your 30s?”
Wanneka acknowledged that both early and late marriages come with their pros and cons, but emphasized that rushing into a marriage can lead to mistakes, especially for those prioritizing timing over compatibility.
Wanneka noted that while no one marries with the intention of divorcing, it can become necessary when peace and happiness are at stake.
She urged women to take their time to marry the right partner from the beginning, in order to avoid such outcomes.
“Marriage is not about the now, it’s about the later. When the kids are grown and gone, will you look at the man you married and be at peace with your decision?”
