Nollywood actress Juliana Olayode has challenged the idea that women become desperate simply because they desire marriage, urging people to distinguish between wanting a life partner and allowing societal pressure to dictate personal choices.

Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby for her role as Toyosi in Jenifa’s Diary, has previously been open about her desire to get married, while also speaking about the pressure unmarried women face in Nigerian society.

Her comments come against the backdrop of renewed conversations around the expectations placed on women to marry at a particular age and the tendency to describe women who openly desire marriage as desperate.

The actress has experienced both sides of the conversation publicly. In September 2024, she shared a video in which she jokingly complained that her friends were yet to help her find a husband. She called on them to take their matchmaking responsibilities seriously, a post that generated reactions from social media users.

The episode also prompted conversations about the intensity of marriage pressure, particularly for single women in Nigeria. Some reactions to the video interpreted her comments as desperation, while others viewed them as humour and an expression of her wish to find a partner.

Olayode has, however, consistently spoken about relationships from the perspective of her Christian faith. In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, she discussed her advocacy for sexual purity, explaining that her position was influenced by her Christian beliefs and her conviction that sex should be within marriage. She also acknowledged that maintaining those values could be challenging.

Her views on marriage have also extended to issues surrounding fidelity and relationships. In February 2025, she criticised social media users who leave comments asking whether the husbands of married women are single.

She described the practice as inappropriate and called on women to respect other people’s marriages.
In March 2025, reports also quoted Olayode speaking against polygamy and infidelity, linking her position to her experience growing up in a polygamous family. She said she believed in monogamous marriage and expressed confidence in her faith regarding her future husband.
For Olayode, the conversation around marriage has therefore existed alongside her broader views about faith, relationships and personal values.

Her position adds to a wider debate in Nigeria, where unmarried women are often questioned about when they intend to marry, while women who actively seek relationships can face criticism for appearing too eager.

The actress’s comments underline the distinction between having a desire for marriage and allowing the pressure to marry to determine one’s choices.

For many women, wanting companionship and a family remains a personal aspiration, but it does not necessarily mean they are willing to compromise their values or accept unsuitable relationships simply to avoid being single.