Baba Fryo Says African Men Don’t Cheat

Baba Fryo says African men don’t cheat because polygamy is part of African culture, claiming only women can be accused due to bride price traditions.

Veteran Nigerian musician Baba Fryo has stirred debate after claiming that African men cannot be accused of cheating because polygamy is part of African cultural tradition.

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Speaking during an interview on the Honest Bunch podcast, the Dem Go Dey Pose singer said the idea of cheating is a Western concept, not one rooted in African norms.

According to Fryo, African traditions allow men to marry multiple wives and be with more than one woman without facing moral or cultural backlash.

He argued that this is in sharp contrast to Western views on relationships, where strict monogamy is the expectation.

“African men don’t cheat because African culture doesn’t condemn men cheating. It’s Western men who cheat. African traditions permit men to marry multiple wives,” he said.

He added that the cultural framework does not grant women the same freedom, stressing that only women could be held accountable for infidelity under African customs.

Fryo went further to say that the bride price system is one reason a man is seen as having authority over his wife.

African men don’t cheat because African culture doesn’t condemn men cheating. It’s Western men who cheat.

“It’s women who can be held accountable for cheating because African men pay bride price. We don’t marry with flowers. We settle both families and community just to marry. After carrying out all the expensive marriage rites, won’t you see me as a lord over the woman?” he said.

The comments have triggered strong reactions across social media, with some Nigerians agreeing with Fryo’s interpretation of cultural practices while others described his stance as outdated and patriarchal.

Baba Fryo, who gained popularity in the 1990s for his unique style and streetwise lyrics, has remained vocal about cultural and societal issues.

In past interviews, he has criticised younger artists and weighed in on controversies involving intellectual property and musical originality.

This latest claim adds to ongoing public conversations about gender roles, marriage, and cultural expectations in modern African societies.

Critics argue that using tradition to justify unequal standards reinforces harmful stereotypes and suppresses gender equality.

While Baba Fryo’s perspective may reflect long-standing traditional views in parts of Africa, others believe that cultural evolution and modern relationship values must be considered in contemporary discussions.

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His statement comes at a time when public discourse around marriage, feminism, and cultural authenticity continues to challenge and reshape societal norms across the continent.