Nollywood actress Biola Bayo has publicly cried out over the escalating and often unspoken financial pressure of the Nigerian ‘Aso Ebi’ culture, declaring a temporary halt to purchasing the ceremonial attire for upcoming events due to a staggering cumulative cost of nearly two million naira.
In a candid and emotionally charged video posted from her Instagram account, the popular Yoruba film star offered a heartfelt apology to friends, colleagues, and family members while laying bare the severe strain that complying with multiple Aso Ebi requests has placed on her finances. She revealed she is scheduled to attend roughly eight ceremonies before the year concludes, with the fabric and associated costs becoming an unbearable burden.
“I had wanted to make this video before now but I’ve been mentally, emotionally, and financially down,” Bayo confessed at the beginning of her address, setting a sombre tone for her explanation. She swiftly moved to the crux of her distress, stating, “I’m here because of this Aso Ebi disaster. Between now and the end of the year, I have about eight Owambe. The cost of Aso Ebi should be approximately like two million.”
The actress directly appealed to her loved ones, saying, “Dear friends and family, I am sorry I can’t afford it. I can’t. I cannot afford it.” She elaborated that the financial haemorrhage extends far beyond just buying the fabric. “It’s another thing to buy Aso Ebi. I’ll sew it. I’ll do makeup. I’ll look for a matching shoe and bag. I’m going to drive down there, fuel my car. I am going to spray money, right? On N100,000 that I spray you, I’m probably paying 25,000 or 30,000 on it.”
Bayo further highlighted the non-monetary sacrifices involved, including cancelling professional jobs and personal appointments to free up time for the events. She proposed a compromise, stating her willingness to attend in existing outfits if the hosts would permit it. However, she issued a pointed critique of events that make the attire mandatory. “But if you tell me it’s strictly by Aso Ebi, that means you’re telling me that if I don’t have Aso Ebi, I should not come. That the Aso Ebi is more important than me.”
In the caption accompanying the video, the actress pleaded for her message not to be taken personally, emphasising that her financial responsibilities far outweigh the desire to spend heavily on clothes that have limited reuse. “I have enough responsibilities than spending so much on clothes that I can hardly wear twice…common!” she wrote. She also clarified that attending social gatherings is not a leisure activity for her, but rather an act of honour. “Party has never been a form of relaxation for me, if I’m coming to your party, it’s just because I want to honor you and I can honorably do that without spending so much.”
