Temi Otedola, actress and daughter of billionaire Femi Otedola, has set social media abuzz after officially changing her surname to ‘Ajibade’ on Instagram, following her marriage to Nigerian singer Mr Eazi (Oluwatosin Ajibade).
The couple, who tied the knot in a series of lavish weddings across Monaco, Dubai, and Iceland in 2025, showcased a blend of Nigerian tradition and global flair.
From the Yoruba wedding at her family’s Dubai residence to the intimate church ceremony in Iceland, their union was a celebration of heritage, family, and love, capped by Temi’s public adoption of her husband’s name.
This move, however, has reignited an old debate in Nigerian feminist circles, whether a woman should take her husband’s surname or keep her maiden name.
Back in August, feminist commentator Rachelle (@omo_kosoko) caused waves on X when she declared:
‘To every girl who is considering getting married, you CAN absolutely keep your name after marriage, and I think you should. Four years married now, I have relocated, had a baby, held a joint account, travelled solo with my child and not one issue. Don’t let anyone lie to you’.
Her statement drew mixed reactions. Barça Principal (@BarcaPrincipal) challenged the sentiment, asking,
‘If you were married into the family of a Dangote, Adenuga, Otedola, Adeleke, or so, would you prefer to still keep your father’s name as surname? Note: I’m not against keeping your surname, I just want to establish something with the question’.
Others offered a more neutral stance, with @innershift05 stressing, ‘A name doesn’t hold a marriage together, character, loyalty, and shared vision do. Keep your name or change it, what matters is building a union that can’t be broken’.
This exchange sparked a nationwide discourse on identity, culture, and the expectations placed on married women, a conversation that has now resurfaced with Temi Otedola’s decision.
During an emotional moment at the wedding, Femi Otedola, known for his business empire and larger-than-life presence, offered a piece of advice to his daughter, ‘You have to succumb to your husband; he’s your boss. Temi, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. You found a great guy. Very great guy. Blessed guy. He comes from a very decent family’.
His words, seen by some as traditional and by others as affectionate guidance, added more fuel to the ongoing cultural debate.
Temi’s choice reflects a reality many Nigerian women face, navigating tradition, personal identity, and societal expectations.
Should a woman take her husband’s surname? Does keeping your maiden name signal independence or disrespect? Does changing it mean submission or unity?
At its core, this debate isn’t about Temi Otedola alone; it’s about choice, culture, and the evolving meaning of marriage.
Whether a name holds the power to define a woman’s place in her home or not remains a deeply personal decision, one that, as this saga shows, the public will always have an opinion on.
