Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has sparked a significant online debate after publicly challenging a pastor's teachings on abstinence before marriage. The controversial video, posted on Saturday, November 8, 2025, has divided Nigerian social media users with its unconventional perspective on relationships and intimacy.
The Bicycle vs Bentley Debate
Martins directly responded to a pastor's statement that labeled any man seeking intimacy before marriage as "a bicycle" unworthy of a woman's time. The actress turned this analogy on its head with her provocative question: "What if I'm the bicycle and the man is the Bentley?"
The actress, who recently had a confrontation with the Lagos government, argued that the pastor's teaching places unfair expectations exclusively on women. She questioned why women must always prove their purity while men face no similar requirements in relationships.
Martins' Relationship Philosophy
Describing herself as a "lover girl who doesn't play games," Sarah Martins revealed her preference for complete understanding between partners before marriage. She emphasized the importance of confirming both emotional and physical compatibility before making lifelong commitments.
"Why should I blindly enter a relationship or marriage without confirming the strength of my man?" she asked in the viral video. "I don't intend to start sneaking around after marriage."
The actress challenged the notion that abstinence automatically proves loyalty or guarantees marital success. According to Martins, relationship longevity has little connection to whether couples abstain before marriage.
Nigerian Social Media Reactions
The video has generated intense reactions across Nigerian social media platforms, with users taking strong positions on both sides of the debate.
Supporting Martins' position, user @milang94_ commented: "I always say this say NO to 'NO SEGGS BEFORE MARRIAGE,' the disadvantages plenty pass the advantages."
Another user, @_francis.xo, added: "People don't realize that healthy se*x leads to a healthy marriage especially for two content partners."
However, critics like @uccie_standard offered a different perspective: "The only reason a confirmation has to be done in the first place is because f*rnication is not new to you so a certain standard has already been created in the mind for what to expect."
Some responses were more direct, with @big_etche stating: "Madam abeg open your legs to everyone that is interested in you, is your right and your business no need to justify it."
Broader Implications
This controversy emerges amid Martins' recent social media activity, where she addressed claims of jealousy toward Judy Austin and Blessing CEO. The actress revealed that numerous married men had approached her through direct messages, though she declined their advances.
The debate touches on deeper cultural conversations about gender roles, religious teachings, and modern relationship expectations in Nigerian society. Martins' stance represents a growing voice challenging traditional norms around sexuality and marriage preparation.
As the discussion continues to trend online, it highlights the evolving perspectives on relationships among Nigerian celebrities and their followers, signaling potential shifts in how younger generations approach marriage and compatibility.
