Veteran Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has advised couples facing disapproval from a partner’s family to make genuine efforts to build understanding rather than hastily ending their relationship, while warning that unions should be reconsidered if such opposition proves impossible to resolve.
Speaking on relationship dynamics in an interview on The Morayo Show which was shared on Youtube on Wednesday, the actress noted that partners should first try to win over resistant relatives through patience and sincere engagement, explaining that some families initially oppose relationships because of preconceived biases.
“But, through life, through life, as a Omotola, I would advise that if the families of the spouse don’t like you, try everything you possibly can to make them understand you. But there are some parents that are just hell-bent on not going to like you.
According to her, certain relatives may already have formed opinions based on factors such as ethnic background or personal prejudice, making acceptance unlikely regardless of effort.
There is nothing you’re going to do. They already have prejudices, you know, they’ve decided that maybe they don’t like you because you’re from a particular place in Nigeria or the world, or they already have their own opinions.”
She stressed, however, that not all opposition can be overcome, cautioning that some families who appear to change their stance may revert to their earlier hostility.
Omotola warned that such circumstances demand careful consideration, noting that marriage itself is already demanding without the added strain of unsupportive in-laws.
