Former presidential aide and author Reno Omokri has ignited a heated social debate after asserting that bride price should only be paid for virgins, declaring that demanding it in other cases amounts to extortion.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Omokri stated that many Africans conflate dowry and bride price, even though they are conceptually and culturally distinct.
“There is a huge difference between a dowry and a bride price,” he wrote. “Dowry is given by the bride’s family, while bride price is paid by the groom and was historically for virgins.”
Citing Biblical references and traditional Jewish practices, Omokri emphasized that bride price originates from a cultural expectation of chastity, whereas dowry is a gift meant to support the new couple, common in parts of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Omokri’s comments quickly went viral, triggering reactions across gender, cultural, and religious lines. While some agreed with his traditionalist take, others accused him of misogyny, shaming women, and reinforcing patriarchal control over female sexuality.
