Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has suggested that marriages should be reviewed every five years, arguing that a structured renewal process would encourage greater accountability and healthier relationships between couples.
Speaking during an episode of the Dear Ife podcast, Bovi said a periodic review would give couples an opportunity to assess the state of their marriage, resolve lingering issues and decide whether to renew their commitment.
According to him, the idea is not about encouraging divorce but creating a system that promotes honest conversations and strengthens marital relationships before conflicts become irreparable.
“Expiry is a very powerful word but I think every marriage should be renewed, for example, every five years. Within the two families, there should be a conversation like, ‘Do you still want to marry? Come and table what has been happening,’ especially in Africa where we are very communal,” he said.
Bovi explained that because marriage in many African societies extends beyond the couple to involve both families, a formal review process could provide a platform for addressing concerns and improving communication.
He added that knowing a scheduled evaluation is approaching would likely encourage spouses to be more intentional about their behaviour and commitment to the relationship.
“When your spouse knows there is a review coming one year from now, he’ll adjust,” he stated.
The comedian stressed that his proposal should not be interpreted as advocating temporary marriages or making divorce easier. Instead, he said the concept is designed to create regular opportunities for couples to reflect on their relationship, resolve disagreements and reaffirm their commitment.