Why we keep ‘secret accounts’ unknown to our husbands – Women

Women in the FCT on Wednesday expressed divergent views on why they operate secret bank accounts without the knowledge of their spouses or partners.

Some of these women told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the reasons for shielding such accounts from their husbands range from mistrust, fear of separation and behaviour change.

However, some said it was to enable them to save money for the `rainy day’ as well as to assist their family members without unnecessary confrontation from their husbands or partners.

Jummai Danladi, a health worker, said that she did not trust her husband and had no confidence that her marriage would stand the test of time.

“I do not trust my husband because he cheats on me indiscriminately; his infidelity is affecting our marriage; the marriage may collapse any moment; that is why I am secretly saving for the rainy day.’’

According to her, the money she is saving without his knowledge is to enable her to take care of herself and the children when the need arises.

Meanwhile, Bunmi Ade, a sales representative, said that her husband is a spendthrift and mismanages the family’s resources.

“My husband and I have a joint account but I had to secretly open another one because he squanders the money on frivolities.

“However, when an important and urgent need arises we end up borrowing to solve it,” Mrs. Ade said.

According to her, she lends him money from her personal savings and collects interest claiming it is from her office cooperative to dissuade him from spending indiscriminately.

Loveth Chukwuma said her husband’s lack of respect and regard for her and her family led to the non-disclosure of her financial status.

“My husband has little regard for my family and rarely attends to their needs even when it is urgent.

“In order to avoid friction, I operate my account without his knowledge and I use my money to cater for my parents and personal needs without bothering him.”

Similarly, Gift Emmanuel, a food vendor, said she hid her money from her husband because it was his responsibility to carter to the needs of the family.

“Him money, na our money: it is his responsibility to provide everything that will be needed in the house. After all, he promised to do that when I married him.

“It is an irresponsible man that would expect his wife to take care of financial obligation of the family, especially when he is working,’’ Mrs. Emmanuel said.