Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has said he has never been a strong advocate for marriage because he believes the institution places greater demands on women than men.

The actor made the remarks during an appearance on In My Opinion, a podcast hosted by actress Bisola Aiyeola, where they discussed marriage, societal expectations and the pressures women face when they remain unmarried.

“I’ve never really been an advocate for marriage because I feel like it is more tasking for the woman,” Arukwe said.

He explained that women bear children, take their husbands’ surnames and face several expectations associated with marriage. He argued that these responsibilities contribute to the unequal demands women experience within the institution.

The actor also questioned the pressure placed on women to marry by a certain age, recalling how unmarried women in their late twenties and thirties are often subjected to questions about their relationship status.

According to him, society has traditionally expected women to marry and have children within a particular period, with some facing comparisons to their peers who are already married or raising families.

Arukwe also noted that some women are choosing not to have children, saying he had met women who had made that decision.

Despite his position on marriage as an institution, Arukwe is married to Barbara Boyd-Arukwe, and the couple have two daughters. 

His comments on the podcast centred on what he considers the unequal responsibilities associated with marriage rather than an announcement about his own relationship.

Arukwe is known for his roles in Nollywood productions, including Sugar Rush and A Tribe Called Judah. He has appeared in several Nigerian films and television productions, establishing himself as a familiar face in the country's film industry.