Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong is once again at the center of a public debate after saying the love he has for his wife, Toyosi Etim Effiong (nee Philips), is greater than the love he has for his children.
The 37-year-old actor made the remarks during a recent episode of the podcast Mansplanation, which he co-hosts with fellow actor Eso Dike. The conversation, which circulated widely on Monday, March 9, 2026, focused on different forms of love and priorities within a family.
During the discussion, Etim-Effiong was asked whether the love he feels for his wife is the highest form of love he has experienced.
“I would say yes. I don’t think I’ve ever loved my children more than I love my wife,” he said.
The actor explained that although his children hold a special place in his life, he believes the marital relationship should remain the central bond in a family.
“My wife comes first, and then my children come after. Although they have a really, really special place in my heart, their mum comes first,” he said.
Etim-Effiong said his view is rooted in how he understands marriage and family building.
“What I have with my wife is a partnership. We decided we are going to build this family. It is a working relationship,” he said.
Explaining further, he added that the connection between spouses forms the basis of the home they are raising together.
“I can have more children with her; I can’t have children with my children,” he said.
Etim-Effiong married media personality Toyosi Etim-Effiong in 2017. The couple have three children: daughter Oreofe Utibe, son Adeife Offiong, and another daughter born in 2024.
The actor’s comments drew mixed reactions after clips from the podcast spread on social media on March 9, 2026.
Some users agreed with his position, saying prioritising a spouse strengthens the family structure.
“Children come and leave, but you remain with your spouse till death,” one user wrote.
Another commenter said, “The love you have for your wife isn’t the same as the love you have for your children.”
Others felt the comparison was unnecessary or should not have been expressed publicly.
“A good father doesn’t make his kids feel like they’re competing for love,” another user commented.
Some reactions also attacked the idea of prioritising a spouse altogether. One commenter wrote:
“Nothing fit make me love Nigerian woman pass my children.”
Both Etim-Effiong and his wife have previously stirred controversy with candid remarks about their marriage. In December 2024, Toyosi said she does not trust her husband “100 percent” after several years of marriage, explaining that although she believes he will honour his vows, she also recognises that “things happen.”
Ultimately, the couple is one of Nollywood’s most popular couples.
Toyosi is a producer, director, media personality, author, and podcast host, while Daniel Etim-Effiong is known for roles in several Nollywood productions, including the Netflix series Blood Sisters, and has received nominations at major African film awards.
