Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has urged women to focus on personal growth and independence before getting married. In a video shared on his Instagram page, Agu emphasized that marriage should not define a woman’s identity or sense of fulfillment. He encouraged women to be mentally, spiritually, and financially stable before taking the step into matrimony. “The best advice I can give you as a lady before you embark on the journey of marriage is to be a complete woman. Establish yourself before you marry. Make sure you are mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially stable. Emphasis on being financially and spiritually stable,” Agu said. He added that a woman’s completeness should not depend on marriage. “It is not marriage that completes you as a woman. You don’t need marriage to feel whole, valuable, or fulfilled. Marriage should complement you, not complete you. It should be a beautiful addition, not a missing piece,” he explained. Agu also stressed the importance of self-reliance, advising women to invest in their skills, careers, and passions. “Before you marry, build yourself up. Even if you are not financially stable, at least have something to do—a skill, a business idea, or understanding of independence. Relying completely on a man can be risky,” he warned. He cautioned about potential challenges in marriage, saying, “God forbid you marry into a family where your in-laws don’t like you, or if your husband divorces you or passes away, and you have nothing of your own. You could end up starting life all over again.” Agu’s message highlights the importance of self-development and personal stability, presenting marriage as an addition to a woman’s life rather than the foundation of her worth.
