Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has sparked widespread debate following his latest remarks on virginity, marriage, and sexual morality among Africans, particularly in Black communities.
In a strongly worded Instagram post, Omokri emphasized the importance of sexual chastity for women, criticizing the practice of premarital sex and questioning the legitimacy of demanding a bride price for women who are no longer virgins.
“It amounts to punishment if a woman allows a man who is not her husband to sleep with her and take her virginity for free, only for her parents to demand a bride price from the man who wants to marry her,” he stated.
“What you are paying for is a bride. And for you to be a bride, you must be chaste.”
Citing Genesis 24:67, Omokri argued that in biblical times, intercourse itself was considered a marital act, using the union of Isaac and Rebekah as an example. According to him, a wedding ceremony was not necessary for a couple to be considered married in scriptural context.
He went on to warn that the abandonment of traditional moral values—especially those surrounding virginity and sexual conduct—is contributing to social decay.
“If virginity was not important, why did God choose Mary? It was for one reason only. Her virginity,” Omokri wrote.
“As a society, we must reward virginity rather than promiscuity.”
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Omokri also made sweeping claims about abortion and population trends among Black communities, saying, “Black people are the only race who have communities where more babies are aborted than are born,” and urged a return to what he called “traditional values.”
The post, however, has provoked a mix of praise and criticism. While some applauded his moral stance and commitment to religious values, others accused him of promoting outdated, patriarchal ideologies that place undue responsibility on women for sexual morality. Gender rights advocates criticized the emphasis on female chastity as a requirement for worthiness in marriage.
Despite the backlash, Omokri stood by his views, stating, “I don’t care who insults me. God put me on Earth to live up to His expectations, not yours.”
Reno Omokri, a bestselling author and outspoken public figure, is known for his controversial takes on religion, culture, and politics.
As a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, his statements often attract national attention and stir conversations around morality and identity in modern African society.
His latest comments have once again ignited a nationwide debate on the role of traditional values in shaping personal and public life.