Who is the man with 107 wives?

The Man with 107 Wives: Bello Maasaba’s Unusual Life

Bello Maasaba, an 87-year-old Islamic faith healer from Nigeria, has made headlines for living a life far removed from modern norms. Known for having 107 wives at the peak of his marriages, Maasaba’s story reads like something out of legend, yet it’s rooted in the complex cultural and religious fabric of northern Nigeria.

As of 2016, Maasaba was married to 86 women, all of whom ranged in age from 19 to 64. Over the years, nine of his wives had passed away, and he divorced twelve others—reportedly for disobedience. With 185 children to his name, his household is less a family and more a small village. While polygamy is legal in parts of Nigeria—especially under Islamic law—Maasaba’s case is extreme even by local standards.

Living in a sprawling compound, his daily life involves managing not just emotional dynamics but also the practical challenges of providing for so many people. He claims his multiple marriages are not about desire but spiritual duty and tradition, viewing each union as part of his role as a faith healer and community figure.

Critics question the welfare of the women and children, while others see his lifestyle as a reflection of deeply rooted customs. Regardless of perspective, Bello Maasaba remains a symbol of a world where religion, tradition, and personal belief intertwine in ways that challenge modern sensibilities.

Though global attention has faded since the 2016 report, Maasaba’s life continues to spark conversations about cultural relativism, gender dynamics, and the limits of personal freedom in traditional societies. He may be an outlier, but his story reveals much about the diversity of human experience.