Marriage counselor and cleric Bisi Adewale has sparked conversation after criticizing the growing trend of women traveling abroad for extended childcare support, popularly known as omugwo.
Cleric raises concern over family separation
Speaking during a recent teaching session, the pastor expressed concern about elderly men being left behind while their wives spend years overseas assisting their children with newborn care.
He described the practice as unhealthy for marriages and family balance.
“Another thing I hate is for a woman to escape to Canada to do omugwo for three years. It’s very bad. That’s how you’ll see a 75-year-old man going around to buy boli,” he said.
He emphasized that such prolonged separation can negatively affect companionship and emotional connection between couples, especially in old age.
Calls for joint family decisions
The cleric advised couples to make joint decisions when it comes to international travel for family responsibilities.
He stressed that marriage should remain a partnership, regardless of external obligations, and suggested alternatives where both partners are involved.
“If you’re going to Canada, we’re going together. If our child’s house can’t contain us, I have money, I’ll get a hotel,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions in Nigeria about balancing traditional family roles with modern migration patterns, as similar concerns have been raised in past years regarding the impact of long-distance family arrangements on marriages.
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“Another thing I hate is for a woman to escape to Canada to do and do Omugwo for 3 years, it’s very bad. That’s how you’ll see a 75 years old man going around to buy Boli. If you’re going to Canada, we’re going together. If our child’s house can’t contain us, I have money, I’ll… pic.twitter.com/4y8KKzUXRO
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) April 28, 2026