Nollywood actress Kemi Lala Akindoju has raised concerns about the tradition of women changing their surnames after marriage, suggesting that couples should merge names instead.
On August 25, 2024, Akindoju took to X to question the fairness of women adopting their husbands’ last names and the implications of this practice. She stated, “Honestly, if we really want to follow ‘2 shall become 1,’ the couple should merge both surnames. I still question the children automatically coming from the man’s state of origin, his surname, and the fact that the man ‘owns’ the child. The whole thing messes with my head so much.”
She further expressed her doubts about the tradition, noting that it overlooks the woman’s significant role in childbirth. Akindoju remarked, “Yet it’s the woman who physically goes through a life-transforming process to birth the children. Yet, she’s relegated. I may not have the answers, but it troubles my entire being and I am yet to find the scripture that says the woman must take the man’s name.”
Akindoju also criticized how boys are not raised to expect a change in their identity, while girls are prepared to adapt to a new name and identity after marriage. She suggested that women should have the freedom to choose whether to keep their maiden name, change it, or use a combination of both.
She added, “Scripture actually says the man cleaves to the woman (but what do I know). Most importantly, a woman should be allowed to choose. Whether she wants to change her name or not or compound it. It’s sha somehow that boys are never raised to think their identity will change. But just because of a woman’s gender, she’s raised/socialized to know that she shouldn’t get too comfortable with a name and identity she’s known all her life. I don’t have the answers, but I strongly question this practice.”