A Nigerian woman has sparked heated debate online after stating that she would rather be afflicted with polio than be a young, poor woman married to a poor man.
The Viral Facebook Post
In her controversial Facebook post, she wrote:
“I’d rather be struck with POLIO than be an 18–22-year-old poor girl getting married to a poor man. If you’re a poor girl, the last thing that should be on your mind is marriage to a poor man. What are you marrying for? Don’t even have a boyfriend — go and hustle.”
Her statement quickly went viral, drawing backlash from many social media users who labeled it insensitive and disrespectful to people living with disabilities.
Divided Opinions Online
While a section of commenters slammed her for making a “cruel and offensive comparison,” others argued that her underlying point — encouraging young women to become financially stable before marriage — was valid but poorly expressed.
One user remarked that her post “crossed moral and ethical lines,” whereas another observed that “her harsh tone overshadowed what could have been a useful message about financial independence and self-growth.”