A Nigerian man, Phill Badung, has criticised cultural practices that exclude widowed mothers from participating in their daughters’ marriage negotiations, arguing that such traditions are rooted in patriarchy and misogyny.

Badung shared his views in a Facebook post after accompanying a friend to the family of the woman he intended to marry.

According to him, although the prospective bride’s mother was present during the visit, the family requested that they wait for her 21-year-old younger brother because her late father was no longer alive.

Questioning the practice, Badung said it was unfair for a widow who single-handedly raised and provided for her children to be denied a voice in such an important family decision.

He argued that if a mother could shoulder responsibilities such as paying school fees, providing food and clothing, there was no justification for excluding her from discussions about her daughter’s marriage.

His comments have sparked conversations on social media, with many users debating the role of tradition, gender equality and the place of widowed mothers in customary marriage rites.
:::writing