Veteran Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has sparked debate with his sharp critique of modern feminism, calling it a “distorted ideology” that promotes harmful gender competition and strays from its original goals. Speaking in a recent interview with The EchoRoom, the 48-year-old screen icon argued that contemporary feminist movements have overshadowed their foundational aims of addressing patriarchy and inequality, instead fostering adversarial dynamics between men and women.
Iyke suggested the shift began when a women’s magazine—which he declined to name—leveraged feminist rhetoric as a commercial strategy. “This was a clever campaign to push sales,” he stated, noting that the publication’s predominantly female audience became targets for messaging that encouraged women to “challenge the status quo and compete with men in the same space.” Over time, he claimed, this evolved into a mindset advocating outright rejection of men. “The campaign went too far. It escalated into [the idea that] ‘we do not need a man, anything a man can do we can do better,’ which has now become a lifestyle and cultural standard,” he added.
Central to his critique is the assertion that modern feminism promotes “double standards,” prioritizing confrontation over collaboration. Iyke contrasted today’s movement with earlier efforts to achieve equity, emphasizing that men and women have “distinct roles” requiring harmonious coexistence. “True balance is achieved through partnership, not competition,” he said. “The two-faced approach [of modern feminism] makes me question its legitimacy. Do adherents not see the falsehood in this?”
While acknowledging historical struggles against systemic gender imbalances, the actor criticized what he described as excessive efforts to dismantle traditional frameworks. He argued that the movement’s transformation into a “cultural norm” risks alienating men rather than fostering mutual progress. “This ideology has been blown out of proportion,” he said, urging a return to principles that prioritize complementary roles.
Iyke’s remarks arrive amid global debates on feminism’s evolving objectives, particularly in regions like Nigeria, where gender rights movements have gained momentum in challenging workplace discrimination and cultural biases. His comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some applauding his call for balance and others dismissing his views as reductive.
The actor, known for his decades-long career in Nigeria’s booming film industry, has frequently weighed in on social issues. His latest statements underscore persistent tensions between traditional values and progressive ideologies in discussions about gender equality. Critics argue that his perspective overlooks systemic barriers still faced by women, while supporters claim it highlights the need for more inclusive dialogues.
As conversations about feminism’s direction continue, Iyke’s critique adds a contentious voice to the discourse, reflecting broader disagreements over how societies navigate shifting gender norms.
