Reno Omokri, a social media activist has suggested that men should distinguish between genuine love & financial reliance in their relationships, cautioning that a woman who seeks financial assistance too soon may not be the right match.
In a message posted on X this past Saturday, Omokri stated, “Seek a phenomenal woman, and once you wed her, discover your wonderful partner. But if upon finding her she instantly expects you to subsidize her, what you have encountered is not an ideal woman. This isn’t to say that you can’t enjoy yourself with her.”
He further added,
“The scriptures proclaim, ‘He who acquires a wife obtains a good fortune.’ What it doesn’t claim, which is also accurate, is that he who finances his wife also invests in a good fortune, enhancing it even further!”
Omokri’s insights contribute to the ongoing dialogues surrounding affection, finances, and values within Nigeria’s shifting dating culture.
Though conventional norms often place the financial burdenon men, a growing number of younger Nigerians are challenging the extent to which money should play a role in contemporary partnerships.
In a 2024 interview, actress Esther Nwachukwu conveyed her preference for financial stability over romantic affection,asserting that “money is an ideal relationship.”
Her straightforward perspective resonated with some individuals but also faced backlash from critics who argued it reflects the increasing commercialization of love.
A 2021 BBC article on Nigerian dating customs spotlighted women like Amarachi Kanu, a fashion designer, who contests the notion that men must always provide for their partners.
Kanu shared that her self-sufficiency can frighten some men, but she cherishes “authentic partnership over financial dependence.”
Psychologist Ann Uramu reinforced this viewpoint, emphasizing that mutual respect and shared values, rather than monetary transactions, should characterize healthy relationships.