Nollywood actor and entrepreneur, Jim Iyke, has stirred controversy online after describing modern-day feminism as a “crime” during a recent interview that has since gone viral.
Speaking on a podcast hosted in Lagos, the actor said while he supports gender equity in principle, he believes the current wave of feminism has become toxic and divisive. “What they’re calling feminism today is no longer about equality. It’s a crime against the natural order of relationships,” Jim Iyke declared.
His statement immediately triggered a storm of reactions across social media, with many Nigerians—especially women’s rights advocates—condemning his views as backward and dangerous. Others, however, praised him for “saying what many men are afraid to say.”
The actor, known for his blunt opinions, further elaborated that “modern feminism encourages rivalry between men and women instead of cooperation,” and insisted that “it is destroying homes, values, and mutual respect.”
While some of his fans defended his freedom to express his personal beliefs, critics argue that his remarks undermine decades of work by women and activists fighting for equal rights and protections.
Women’s advocacy groups have called on Jim Iyke to retract his statement and engage in a broader conversation about the true meaning and goals of feminism.
As of press time, the actor has not responded to the backlash or clarified whether his comments were taken out of context.
