Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Bovi Ugboma has sparked widespread conversation online after declaring that he celebrates divorce when a marriage becomes unhealthy or unbearable for either partner, describing the end of such unions as a form of liberation rather than failure.

The 46-year-old made the remarks during a recent appearance on The Morayo Show, hosted by broadcaster Morayo Afolabi-Brown, where he addressed the growing rate of marital breakdown and offered a perspective that ran counter to the traditionally negative view of divorce in Nigerian society.

“I celebrate when people get divorced because I feel it means one or both people were not breathing well in the marriage. I will not suffer anybody, nor will I want anybody to suffer me,” Bovi said, adding that choosing to leave a toxic or suffocating union was, in his view, an act of self-preservation and dignity.

The comedian was quick to clarify, however, that his position should not be read as a dismissal of marriage or its difficulties. Drawing on his own experience, Bovi revealed that his 17-year marriage to Kris Asimonye has not been without its share of challenges. “That is not to say my marriage has been easy for 17 years. It has not. I got married at 29. I have been providing for 17 years nonstop,” he said.

Bovi also addressed the question of gender roles within marriage, arguing that women who are driven to contribute financially to their households deserve recognition and respect, particularly when such contributions flow from personal ambition rather than obligation. “If a woman’s passion drives her to provide, her contributions should be recognised and respected,” he said.

His comments have since generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users agreeing that leaving an unhealthy marriage is a valid and often necessary choice, while others argued that couples should exhaust every available option before considering divorce.

The conversation has added fresh momentum to ongoing public debates in Nigeria around compatibility, personal wellbeing, and the evolving expectations of modern marriage.