KOLAWOLE AJEYEMI RESPONDS TO INTERVIEWER WHO ASKED HOW HE FEELS AS HIS WIFE TOYIN ABRAHAM IS RICHER THAN HIM

 

One of the challenges a lot of working women have to contend with in a marriage or relationship is the problem of gender roles. Traditionally, the man is seen as the “breadwinner” in a family and so it is expected that he, as the “man of the house” should bring in more money than his wife or significant other in a relationship.

Toyin Abraham and husband, Kolawole

So what happens when that is not the case? We have famously heard of many stories that have ended disastrously for women in these situations as their husbands or boyfriends become insecure or jealous of the woman’s success and takes it out on her. There have also been wonderful occasions where men celebrate their wife being richer than them and jubilate for their significant other.

One of Nigeria’s foremost examples of this in the public eye, Kolawole Ajeyemi, a man who happens to be the husband of one of Nigeria’s most popular actresses and filmmakers, Toyin Abraham, granted an interview where he was asked about this exact topic. Here is what Kolawole had to say about his wife being richer and more popular than him.

During an interview The Tribune, Kolawole Ajeyemi was asked by the interviewer: “Some say she (Toyin Abraham) is older than you are, some say she is richer or more popular, what do you say to all these?” Responding to the question, Kolawole responded saying:

(Laughs) I have said I won’t say much about my family, but I think I have to address this. I was born in 1979 and I have a lot of colleagues that know my age. As I said earlier, I joined the industry in 1997 and I believe she hasn’t joined the industry then. So, subtract my age from 1997 when I joined the industry and compare it. So, I am older than my wife. Then on the issue of being richer or more popular, money or no money, popular or not, God is the one who owns money or fame and freely gives to whoever. Whether I am the one who is more popular or rich, or she is, the fact remains that we are both popular and rich. It is no big deal if my wife is richer than I am, in as much as none of us is being arrogant to the other over this.

Toyin Abraham and husband, Kolawole

There is no issue because, at the end of the day, it is good for both parties, you assist each other. On popularity, I am also doing well for myself. I have been in the industry and doing well even before I met my wife, and I make my living from what I do. Currently, I have a clothing line – Kola Ajeyemi Clothings and Shoes. I also have a large farm, a very big one. So, I am doing well for myself and I am okay with that. She is doing well too and I have never for once wished she comes down. I am not that kind of guy, I wasn’t brought up that way. I pray she continues to go up and I remain at the top. But my wife is not older than I am, I was born in 1979 and a lot of people know this. So, for those talking all about whether she is older than I am or not, they are the ones who cause issues between husbands and wives. I want to say they should stop that. If they don’t stop, those in the marriage too shouldn’t allow talks like that to get to them.

Toyin Abraham and husband, Kolawole

What a beautiful answer! It’s these kinds of examples we love to see. Truly, in a marriage, who cares if the man or the woman is making more money as long as both parties are enjoying it together. What a perfect response from Kolawole.

Let me know your thoughts on what Kolawole said and on the topic at hand. Do you think it’s okay for a woman to make more money than a man in a relationship or marriage? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment on my Facebook page.