James Ibor, a lawyer and human rights advocate, has called for an end to the practice of paying and collecting bride price in Nigeria. He also emphasized that married women should have the freedom to retain their family names instead of adopting their husbands’ surnames.
Speaking at a women’s event in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, themed “Amplifying Women’s Representation in Politics with a Special Focus on the Special Seats Bill,” Ibor, who serves as the principal counsel at the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, criticized the tradition of bride price, labeling it as a symbol of slavery.
The event was organized by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs with support from the civil society organization Stand To End Rape.
Ibor argued that the exchange of bride price suggests the commodification of women, perpetuating inequality and domination by men. Instead, he advocated for a system where the bride’s and groom’s families exchange gifts as equals.
“Women are not commodities to be bought by men. Bride price perpetuates signs of slavery, denial of women’s rights, and male dominance,” he said. “I refused to pay a bride price for my wife’s family. Instead, we exchanged gifts. I strongly recommend abandoning this outdated and oppressive practice.”
He further supported the idea that women should have the liberty to retain their parents’ names or choose their preferred names after marriage. “Women should not be compelled to change their identities. They should be free to bear the names they choose.”
Ibor also condemned the cultural practices in certain parts of Cross River State that deny women rights to land and property, calling for reforms to ensure gender equality.