Bride Price Trap: How Our Traditions Fuel Marital Violence

Domestic violence in Nigerian marriages isn’t random. A recent peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Family Violence found husband-to-wife abuse rose by 16% between 2008 and 2018. The National Human Rights Commission recorded nearly 46,000 sexual violence cases in a single year. Paying a bride price often sets power dynamics from day one. Families negotiate the payment, remain involved after the ceremony, and reinforce a sense of ownership. Many women stay in abusive marriages to avoid repaying that sum. Research from Rivers State shows high bride price demands predict divorce and instability. These findings expose how a financial transaction at a wedding can sow long-term disrespect, resentment, and violence.

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