Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy, posted a video from his daughter Adaeze's engagement ceremony on Instagram on Thursday, calling the couple his "beautiful Princess and her Husband" and asking followers to "wish dem well for me." The post has split reactions between congratulations and criticism, reflecting Nigeria's legal stance on same-sex unions, which remain criminalised under the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.
Adaeze announced the engagement herself, sharing a photo with her partner captioned "WE'RE ENGAGED!" and the hashtag #mrsandmrsgray2027. She wrote, "Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can't wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you."
The announcement drew immediate attention online, with comment sections split between congratulatory messages and condemnation. The mixed response tracks with Nigeria's broader social climate, where same-sex relationships are both illegal and widely stigmatised.
Adaeze was previously married to a man, Metu Anu, in a traditional wedding held in Abuja in February 2018. That union later ended in divorce.
She is not the first of Charly Boy's children to publicly be in a same-sex relationship. His other daughter, Dominique "Dewy" Oputa, is also in a relationship with a woman. Both daughters currently reside outside Nigeria.
Charly Boy, also known as Area Fada, has spent decades building a public persona around unconventional positions on Nigerian social and cultural issues. He has spoken publicly about surviving prostate cancer, being sexually abused by a nanny during childhood, and long-standing tension within his nearly 50-year marriage to his wife, Diane.
He has also directly addressed public speculation about his own gender expression and sexuality, arguing that embracing traits often associated with femininity does not diminish a man's identity. His willingness to discuss these subjects has periodically placed him at odds with more conservative segments of Nigerian society.
The entertainer has 10 children and 14 grandchildren in total. He has continued to speak openly about his family throughout his public career, including in this latest post celebrating his daughter's engagement.
The engagement comes at a time when Nigeria maintains strict legal penalties for same-sex relationships. The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, signed into law in 2014, criminalises same-sex marriages and public displays of affection between same-sex couples, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
Charly Boy's public celebration of his daughter's engagement stands in contrast to the legal environment in Nigeria, where such relationships carry significant personal and legal risks. His decision to share the moment on his public Instagram account, with its substantial following, ensures the announcement reaches far beyond his immediate circle.
The video he shared shows moments from the engagement ceremony, with Charly Boy referring to the couple in affectionate terms. His request for well-wishes was direct: "Folks, wish dem well for me."
Adaeze's own announcement carried a tone of optimism about the future. Her caption referenced a lifetime together and expressed anticipation for what lies ahead, using language that framed the engagement as a beginning rather than a departure.
The response to the announcement has been mixed, with supporters offering congratulations and detractors expressing disapproval. The split reflects the ongoing tension in Nigeria between traditional social mores and more permissive attitudes, particularly among younger and diaspora populations.
Charly Boy's history of public candour about personal matters, from his health struggles to his marriage, has prepared his audience for announcements that challenge convention. His latest post continues that pattern, using his platform to celebrate a family milestone that would be legally prohibited in his home country.
Both Adaeze and her partner reside outside Nigeria, a detail that shapes the context of the engagement announcement. The couple's location outside the country means they are not subject to the legal restrictions that would apply to a same-sex marriage within Nigeria's borders.
The engagement marks another public moment in the Oputa family's navigation of same-sex relationships, following Dewy's own public relationship with a woman. Charly Boy's consistent support for his daughters' choices has become part of his public identity, even as it continues to draw criticism from some quarters.
Adaeze's previous marriage and subsequent divorce had been public knowledge, making her new engagement a notable development in her personal life. Her announcement frames this relationship as a fresh start, with her caption looking forward rather than back.
The video Charly Boy shared and his accompanying message have generated discussion across Nigerian social media, with the post circulating beyond his immediate followers. The engagement has become a talking point in conversations about family, acceptance, and the limits of Nigerian law and social convention.
According to Pulse.ng.
