Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has sparked online debate after questioning the traditional belief that couples should abstain from sex until marriage.
In a candid video shared on Instagram, Martins dismissed a popular religious analogy comparing men who seek premarital intimacy to “bicycles,” while portraying patient men as “Bentleys.” The actress argued that such teachings oversimplify relationships and ignore the importance of sexual compatibility in marriage.
“A pastor said any man that asks you to sleep with him before marriage is a bicycle and that we should wait for our Bentley. My question is — what if I am the bicycle and the man is the Bentley?” Martins asked.
According to her, knowing a partner intimately before marriage is not a moral failing but part of making an informed decision about a lifelong commitment.
She explained that she is deeply loyal in relationships and would rather confirm compatibility before tying the knot than risk future dissatisfaction or infidelity.
“Why should I enter marriage blindly without confirming the strength of my man? I don’t intend to start sneaking around after being married,” she said.
Martins added that abstaining from sex before marriage does not necessarily guarantee commitment or virtue, noting that some men leave relationships regardless of how long they are made to wait.
“If you like, make a man wait for ten years. Any man that will stay will stay, and any man that will leave will leave. Making a man wait doesn’t guarantee anything,” she stated.
Her comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some agreeing that mutual compatibility — including sexual — is crucial for marital success, while others criticized her for challenging long-held moral and religious values.
Still, Sarah Martins maintains that her views reflect honesty and self-awareness, not rebellion, emphasizing that women should make decisions that prioritize emotional and physical fulfillment over societal expectations.