“You Buy Aso Ebi, They Break Up Before You Blink” – Chinyere Wilfred Laments Rising Divorce Rate Among Young Couples

In a candid and emotionally-charged remark that has sent social media into a whirlpool of reactions, veteran Nollywood actress Chinyere Wilfred has shared her thoughts on the rapidly rising rate of divorce among young Nigerian couples. The seasoned actress, known for her maternal roles in many classic Nollywood movies, voiced her concern about what she calls the “emotional instability” plaguing today’s marriages, painting a stark contrast with the resilient unions of older generations.

“You buy aso ebi, start preparing for the wedding, you blink, and they’ve broken up. We were not like that before,” she said during an Instagram live session that has since gone viral. Her words, though spoken with a touch of humor, resonated deeply with many who have witnessed the growing trend of lavish weddings followed almost immediately by shocking separation announcements.

Chinyere Wilfred’s statement shines a spotlight on what many see as the crumbling foundation of modern relationships. The actress, who has been married for over three decades, expressed disbelief over how quickly marriages dissolve nowadays, blaming what she described as a lack of endurance, spiritual depth, and a rush to conform to unrealistic social standards. She emphasized that couples in her generation faced trials, yet were determined to stand by each other.

Back in her day, she said, marriages were built on understanding, patience, and mutual respect, not on the spectacle of social media. She narrated how couples used to work through financial difficulties, family pressure, and even personal growth pains, rather than calling it quits at the first sign of discomfort. According to her, many modern couples are more focused on aesthetics — the glitz of pre-wedding shoots, the fashion statements at ceremonies, and the viral content — rather than the lifelong commitment that marriage truly represents.

“Young people today are too quick to give up. They treat relationships like subscription services — once the trial version expires or things don’t go their way, they unsubscribe,” Wilfred quipped, eliciting laughter from her fans but also nods of agreement from many older followers. Some netizens even took to the comment section to share personal anecdotes of friends who spent millions on weddings, only to separate before their one-year anniversary.

But beyond the jokes and memes that followed her statement, the issue she raised is one that has been bothering relationship experts, family counselors, and religious leaders alike. The divorce rate among Nigerian youths, especially among celebrities and influencers, appears to be climbing at an alarming rate. Several high-profile marriages have crumbled publicly, sometimes only months after being celebrated with fanfare. The reasons vary — from allegations of infidelity and abuse to irreconcilable differences and emotional incompatibility.

Chinyere Wilfred’s lament echoes a growing concern among older Nigerians who feel the values of marriage are being eroded by a fast-paced, digitally-influenced culture. In the past, when couples had problems, elders, extended families, and church leaders would intervene and attempt to mediate. Now, couples are more isolated, and more often than not, private issues are dragged to the court of public opinion via Instagram posts, Twitter threads, and TikTok rants.

The actress also warned that the obsession with perfect, fairy-tale relationships online is misleading many into believing that marriage is supposed to be flawless. “Marriage is work. It’s commitment. It’s sacrifice. It’s forgiveness. It’s not a bed of roses, and it’s not a TikTok challenge,” she said with visible passion. Her words struck a nerve, especially among women who agreed that many young brides are unprepared for the realities of married life, focusing more on bridal showers than emotional readiness.

Some critics, however, argue that Chinyere’s comments may overlook the legitimate reasons many women today choose to leave marriages that are toxic or abusive. In decades past, many women remained trapped in emotionally and physically harmful relationships because of societal expectations and lack of options. Today’s generation, they argue, is more empowered, more aware of their rights, and less willing to tolerate mistreatment under the guise of “endurance.”

Still, Wilfred is not asking people to stay in marriages at all costs. She clarified that she supports leaving genuinely harmful relationships, but emphasized that many couples today end marriages over trivial disagreements that could have been resolved with patience and maturity. “If you say ‘sorry’ and listen more, some of these things won’t even escalate,” she added.

Her comments sparked a fresh debate online, with hashtags like #AsoEbiDivorce, #MarriageWahala, and #ChinyereWilfred trending on X (formerly Twitter) for hours. While some younger users clapped back, defending their right to walk away from unfulfilling marriages, others thanked the actress for speaking what they called “hard truths.” Several celebrities and public figures also weighed in, with some calling for better premarital counseling and others encouraging couples to focus more on spiritual growth and compatibility than luxury ceremonies.

In a society where weddings often resemble movie premieres and are broadcast live on social media, Wilfred’s concern is timely. Many are beginning to ask whether the focus has shifted too far from building strong marital foundations to curating picture-perfect love stories for online consumption. The heartbreak is not just emotional, but economic — as friends, families, and even communities often invest time, money, and energy into weddings that ultimately end in regret.

As Chinyere Wilfred’s words continue to spark discussions across various platforms, one thing is clear: Nigerians are divided on what truly constitutes a modern, successful marriage. Some believe love alone is not enough and call for emotional intelligence, communication, and shared values as the new pillars. Others are returning to traditional values and counseling, seeking guidance from elders and spiritual leaders.

Whatever side of the divide one stands, the veteran actress’s voice has reignited a much-needed conversation. In an age where love is often filtered through Instagram aesthetics and viral dance trends, her plea for depth, commitment, and perspective serves as a sobering reminder that real love isn’t always glamorous — but it’s worth fighting for.

As weddings continue to trend and divorce announcements pop up like push notifications, many are now taking Chinyere Wilfred’s words to heart: before you buy that aso ebi and rehearse those dance steps, ask yourself — is this a marriage built to last, or just another heartbreak waiting to go viral?