‘I Have Seen People Divorce After Two Months Of Marriage’ – Ruth Kadiri Warns Young Couples Against Marriage Pressure

Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples to avoid putting themselves under financial and emotional pressure to organise elaborate wedding ceremonies, arguing that extravagant celebrations can create unnecessary expectations around marriage.

In a video shared on her Instagram page, the mother of two encouraged couples to consider smaller ceremonies instead of organising multiple wedding events that could add pressure to their relationships.

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Kadiri explained that some people enjoy dating and spending time with their partners but become anxious about marriage when they begin thinking about the responsibilities and expectations that come with it.

According to the actress, elaborate wedding ceremonies can contribute to this fear by making marriage seem more overwhelming than it needs to be.

“I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples; it puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings, it puts pressure on people, and they don’t seem to have realised that. They don’t seem to have realised that because I’m not just talking about spiritually or what; I’m talking about mentally,” she said.

She added that some people who are comfortable in their relationships begin to feel differently after the wedding ceremony because of the expectations attached to married life.

Ruth Kadiri Recommends Small Wedding Ceremonies

Kadiri urged young couples to consider simple wedding arrangements, suggesting that they could complete their traditional marriage requirements, have a small ceremony with close family and friends, and avoid spending excessively.

“So I do want to encourage people, young people, go to your father’s house, your mother, your father, your uncle, two, two people carry from inside, mother and father, two people, pay the bride price, go home. Want to do wedding, carry yourself, invite 30 people, go to court, from court come back home, call pastor, let him pray, drink wine and sleep. E go be like say you do birthday party,” she said.

The actress explained that a simple celebration could help couples focus more on their relationship than on meeting societal expectations.

She also argued that some people only begin to fully appreciate the reality of marriage several months after their wedding ceremony.

‘I’ve Stayed For About Seven Years’

Reflecting on her own experience, Kadiri said she believed avoiding an elaborate wedding contributed to the success of her marriage.

She disclosed that she had been married for about seven years and contrasted her experience with cases of couples who separated shortly after their weddings.

“I never had that kind of marriage, I didn’t and I feel like it’s part of why I’m successful. I’ve stayed this year; I can categorically say I’m successful because I’ve seen people marry for two months, then divorce. So me I don dey, I’m like seven years now so I can say I don try, I don try oh,” she said.

Kadiri further criticised the pressure some Nigerians face to organise engagement ceremonies, court weddings, white weddings and traditional weddings, noting that some people believe their marriages will not succeed unless they follow every step.

According to her, spending heavily on wedding celebrations can also expose couples to unnecessary scrutiny and expectations from others.

She encouraged young people to reconsider traditions and social expectations that place unnecessary burdens on their relationships.

Ruth Kadiri Calls For Changes In Parental Expectations

Beyond wedding ceremonies, the actress urged the younger generation to challenge other forms of societal pressure, particularly expectations from parents regarding financial success.

She argued that parents putting excessive pressure on their children to succeed and bring money home was another issue that needed to change.

“This generation now, I need you people to change a lot of things. One of the things I want you people to change is the pressure parents put on their children to succeed and bring money home. I promise you, this generation needs to change it,” she said.

Kadiri’s message centred on encouraging young people to prioritise their wellbeing and relationships rather than feeling compelled to meet expensive wedding expectations or other societal demands.