Lala Akindoju: It troubles me that women automatically adopt their husbands’ names

Kemi Lala Akindoju, the Nollywood actress, has shared her opinion on the tradition of women changing their surnames after marriage. 

In a series of X posts, the film star also faulted the practice of children inheriting the father’s surname and state of origin, despite the woman’s crucial role in childbearing.

Akindoju argued that the practice lacks scriptural backing and instead suggests merging surnames.

The Ondo-born movie star said the practice “troubles my entire being”. She said she believes women should be free to change their name, without coercion.

The 37-year-old also faulted the inconsistency in how boys and girls are raised to think about their identities and names, highlighting the need for change.

…yet it’s the woman who physically goes through a life transforming process to birth the children. Yet, she’s relegated. I may not have the answers, but it troubles my entire being and I am yet to find the scripture that says the woman must take the man’s name.

— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) August 25, 2024

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…but just because of a woman’s gender she’s raised/socialized to know that she shouldn’t get too comfortable with a name and identity she’s known all her life. I don’t have the answers, but I strongly question this practice.

— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) August 25, 2024

“Honestly, if we really want to follow ‘2 shall become 1,’ the couple should merge both surnames,” she wrote.

“I still question the children automatically coming from the man’s state of origin, his surname, and the fact that the man “owns” the child. The whole thing messes with my head so much.

“Yet it’s the woman who physically goes through a life transforming process to birth the children.

“Yet, she’s relegated. I may not have the answers, but it troubles my entire being and I am yet to find the scripture that says the woman must take the man’s name.

“Scripture actually says the man cleaves to the woman (but what do I know). Most importantly, a woman should be allowed to choose.

“Whether she wants to change her name or not or compound it. It’s sha somehow that boys are never raised to think their identity will change.

“But just because of a woman’s gender, she’s raised/socialized to know that she shouldn’t get too comfortable with a name and identity she’s known all her life. I don’t have the answers, but I strongly question this practice.”

Akindoju married Gbubemi Fregene, fondly called Chef Fregz, in September 2018 and they welcomed a son in February 2021.

She started her acting career in 2005 with stage performance before venturing into feature films. She has won an avalanche of awards for her craft.