Prof Uju Anya Reflects on Marriage and Sexuality
Nigerian-American academic Prof Uju Anya has publicly discussed her past marriage, sexuality, and life experiences, insisting her union with her ex-husband was genuine and based on love.
In an interview on With Chude, Dr Anya recounted a troubled childhood. She said her father was physically abusive, emotionally neglectful, and publicly humiliating to her mother. Her mother left the marriage when Anya was 10, leaving lasting emotional scars.
Early Life and Worldview
Dr Anya said these experiences shaped her worldview. After moving to the United States, she embraced feminism and adopted atheism, a position she has maintained for decades.
Marriage and Relationship Dynamics
Despite identifying as bisexual, Dr Anya said she fell deeply in love with a man and married him. She emphasized that the marriage was not a cover or “fake,” describing it as emotionally real and sexually fulfilling.
“I was dating other women, even my husband was dating other women,” she said, explaining why the marriage eventually evolved into an open arrangement.
About ten years into the marriage, she disclosed to her husband that she needed relationships with women as well. The couple agreed to an open marriage, which lasted a few more years. Dr Anya said a turning point came when she attended a Nigerian lesbian wedding in New York, which clarified her future lay with women.
Facing Criticism and Backlash
Dr Anya addressed criticism, including being labelled a “man-hater.” She said while she has experienced attraction to men, her stronger connection has always been with women.
She also revealed that her public statements on issues such as the late Queen Elizabeth and the suffering of Biafrans have drawn severe backlash, including death threats, requiring police and FBI involvement, and affecting her mental health.
Current Life
In 2024, Dr Anya married her long-term partner, Dr Syria Lang. She described their union as blending families and fulfilling her personal vision of partnership.
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