Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has publicly condemned a social media post advising Igbo men to marry women outside their ethnic group, calling the message irresponsible and rooted in avoidance of personal accountability.

 

The controversy began after a Twitter user, Onyeka Chukwu, reacted to a news report involving an Enugu woman, Chioma Okonkwo, who was arraigned on charges of defamation and providing false information during a custody battle with her ex-husband, Ozioma Okonkwo.

According to  reports, the Enugu State Police Command formally charged Chioma following investigations that began in August 2024.

 

Chukwu, citing the case, advised Igbo men to marry outside their ethnic group to “avoid similar experiences,” a statement that quickly went viral.

Genevieve: “Take accountability, don’t prey on others”

Responding to the tweet, Genevieve wrote:

“In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Her comment suggested that the original post encouraged men who exhibit problematic behaviors to target “unsuspecting” women from other ethnic groups rather than addressing their own shortcomings. Genevieve’s response sparked heated debate across social media platforms.

While some users applauded her stance against ethnic bias and gender stereotyping, others argued that she misunderstood the context of the original advice. Critics claimed the man was simply cautioning against cultural compatibility issues rather than promoting predatory behaviour.

 

The exchange quickly became one of the most trending conversations on Nigerian social media, highlighting recurring debates around ethnicity, marriage, gender relations, and public responsibility.