Sola Benson
Public reactions have intensified following remarks by Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama, who described her experience with female circumcision as beneficial, reigniting conversations around the controversial practice.
Speaking during an Instagram Live session with media personality Daddy Freeze, Inyama revealed that she underwent the procedure as a child while living with her grandmother in a village. She attributed aspects of her personal discipline and control in relationships to that experience, suggesting it has influenced how she sets boundaries.
According to the actress, the procedure contributed to what she described as her ability to maintain firm decisions regarding intimacy, adding that it has shaped her sense of self-control over the years. She expressed appreciation for her grandmother’s role, stating that the decision had a lasting impact on her personal life.
Her comments, however, have sparked wider debate due to the global stance on Female Genital Mutilation, which remains highly controversial and is widely condemned by international health organisations and human rights groups.
Medical experts and advocacy groups have consistently warned that FGM has no health benefits and is associated with serious physical and psychological risks, including complications during childbirth, infections, and long-term trauma. The practice is also considered a violation of human rights in many parts of the world.
In Nigeria and across several countries, efforts have been intensified to eliminate FGM through legislation, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement aimed at protecting girls and women.
Inyama’s remarks have therefore drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing them as a personal account, while others argue they risk reinforcing harmful narratives around a practice that health authorities continue to discourage.
The development has once again highlighted the need for sustained education and dialogue around women’s health, bodily autonomy, and culturally rooted practices that intersect with modern medical and human rights standards.