A Nigerian woman has opened up about the deeply emotional chapter of her life that concluded when her bride price was formally returned to her former husband's family, marking the end of her marriage.
The Final Act: Returning the Bride Price
In a candid video shared on her TikTok account, @miss.ijay, the lady recounted how her marriage, which began in December 2016, was officially dissolved in December 2023. The pivotal moment was the return of her bride price, a significant traditional act that signifies the complete severance of the marital bond. She posted a throwback video from the very day the repayment occurred, capturing the weight of the event.
She described that the proceedings, which were initially calm, took a dramatic turn when the finality of the situation hit her former spouse. As the reality set in that she was permanently leaving the union, he was overwhelmed with emotion and could not stop crying.
"He Realised I Was Really Walking Out"
In her own words, the lady explained the poignant scene: "My bride price was paid in December 2016. My bride price was returned in December 2023. This video was made on my bride price return day. My 'husband' couldn't stop crying. That was when it actually dawned on him that I was really walking out of the marriage."
Despite the raw emotion displayed by her ex-husband, she clarified that her decision was final long before that day. The return ceremony was not a moment of reconsideration but a confirmation that the chapter had irrevocably closed.
Mixed Reactions from Netizens
The video sparked a flood of comments from TikTok users, offering a spectrum of perspectives on marriage and divorce.
Some questioned the decision to end the union: User @Queen Meenas commented, "Some cases can be settled. Now everything na divorce. Did u not know your partner well enough before you agreed to marry him." Another, @Helen ken, advised endurance, sharing, "Nothing dey outside think about old age my marriage is 35 years now I endure everything marriage brought good and bad cos my children they are grown."
Others offered support or different interpretations: User @Zubbymercy pointed out a traditional viewpoint, stating, "If a man returns bride price it means he is the one that rejected the woman and not the other way round." Meanwhile, @Ify Okoye suggested, "I am over 30 yrs in marriage. No marriage is perfect dear. But you can make it work. I will only advise you to quit when it becomes threat to life, apart from it, hand over to Jesus."
A few shared their own reconciliation stories: @Jacy.joseph20 noted, "My husband no gree return or accept anything, he keeps trying coming back until I went back to him and everything is good now."
The discussion also veered into broader issues, with @Ekkies.empire kiddies sharing her own plans regarding co-parenting after separation.
This personal story highlights the complex interplay of tradition, emotion, and personal choice in modern Nigerian marriages, resonating with many who have faced similar crossroads.
