Warri queen says monarch will remain committed to one-wife marriage

Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, has said her husband will not change his position against polygamy. Speaking in an interview with BBC News Pidgin published on September 23, 2026, the queen consort said she believed she was sufficient for the monarch. Her comments followed an earlier interview in which the Olu said he had chosen to remain married to one wife.

The monarch said in January that he had not been given the grace for polygamy and that the demands of the throne already placed considerable pressure on his time. He said he preferred to preserve peace at home with his family. Atuwatse said she enjoyed seeing the public celebrate her husband’s achievements.

She also acknowledged that his royal schedule could limit the time the couple spent together. The queen, who is a lawyer by training, said her clothing reflected her personal choices. She described her turban as her crown and said she covered her hair when she was performing her role as queen to show respect for the office.

She also said she acted as her husband’s stylist, describing the coordination of their appearances as a private detail about their relationship. On politics, Atuwatse said she had no personal ambition to seek office. She nevertheless encouraged women interested in politics to pursue their goals and stressed the importance of self-belief.

She and the Olu married in 2014 and have three children. The monarch became the 21st Olu of Warri in August 2021.