Popular Nigerian comedian and talk show host, Teju Oyelakin, widely known as Teju Babyface, has urged men not to confess infidelity to their wives or partners, warning that such revelations often cause more damage than good.

Speaking in a YouTube video on Monday, Teju described admitting to cheating as one of the “most catastrophic and damaging” mistakes a person can make in a marriage.

“If you cheat on your wife or your husband, but especially your wife — don’t tell her. Don’t confess. Do not ever do it,” he cautioned. “It is one of the most catastrophic and damaging things you can ever do in your life.”

The comedian explained that many people misinterpret the concept of confession, often citing the Bible to justify telling their partners. He stressed that confession of sin is meant for God, not for humans.

“People will quote the Bible and say if we confess and repent, our sins are forgiven. Excuse me, that is to God and from God, not to man,” he said.

According to Teju, men who confess after cheating are not being honest but manipulative, as they transfer the weight of their guilt onto their partners.

“You are not being honest; you are being manipulative. You’re not helping your spouse, you’re looking for someone else to carry the burden of your wrongdoing,” he noted.

Sharing his personal experience, the comedian admitted he once cheated in a serious relationship before marriage and confessed — a decision he now regrets. He revealed that his confession was less about sincerity and more about sabotaging the relationship.

“I can see clearly now that I confessed because I wanted out of the relationship. That was not honesty — that was cowardice,” he reflected.

Teju argued that confessions rarely heal relationships, but instead deepen emotional wounds and permanently damage trust. He cited examples of people who admitted infidelity and suffered lasting consequences.

“I have a friend who cheated on his wife 15 years ago, confessed in their first year of marriage, and to this day she still holds it over his head,” he said.

Emphasising that true repentance is about changing behaviour rather than confessing, Teju advised men to stop cheating rather than unburdening themselves to their spouses.

“If you feel bad about cheating, stop cheating. If you still feel guilty, confess to God or a counsellor, not your wife. Don’t ever put that weight on her. That’s not honesty; that’s cruelty,” he insisted.

He concluded by distinguishing between a one-time mistake and habitual cheating, urging men to learn from their missteps without destroying their homes in the name of confession.

“The fact that you cheated once doesn’t make you a cheater. A cheater is someone who does it repeatedly. But if you stumbled once, learn from it and change your actions,” he said.