Chimamanda to ladies: Don’t marry out of desperation… choose wisely

Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, the award-winning Nigerian author, has advised young women to prioritise wisdom over desperation when selecting life partners.

Speaking at a recent students’ event, the 47-year-old literary icon emphasised the lifelong impact of this decision, warning against settling for less out of societal pressure.

The author of ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and ‘Americanah’ cautioned young women against settling for incompatible partners simply to meet societal expectations of marriage.

“It’s really important who you choose. It’s really important. Young women, choose wisely,” she said.

“Sometimes as young women, you can tell that the person you’re with is not really a good person, but you’re desperate to get married.

“You’re desperate to have somebody who’s your partner. Don’t settle. Be very careful who you choose.

“The person you choose as your life partner will make a huge difference in your life.

“If you choose somebody who’s kind, supportive, it will make all the difference. So I can tell you that I chose well, there are some good men left.”

Adichie has been married to Nigerian doctor Ivara Esege since 2009. The couple has three children — a daughter and twin boys.

Her advice comes at about the same time she revealed how she consciously adopted her Igbo name “Chimamanda” after feeling disconnected from her birth name.