Rapper Erigga has asserted that internet scammers, popularly called Yahoo boys, have played a substantial role in shaping the transactional dynamics of relationships within Nigerian society today.
In a discussion with Yanga FM Lagos, the rapper elaborated that the lavish spending habits of Yahoo boys on women have placed immense pressure on other men, who cannot afford such extravagant expenditures, to sustain meaningful relationships with women accustomed to the standards set by these fraudsters.
He lamented that authentic romance is slowly diminishing in Nigerian society as many men gauge their worth solely on financial status, while numerous women engage in dating for ‘survival’ rather than love.
"Yahoo boys have destroyed romance. [Authentic] romance is virtually extinct. When was the last time you spotted two lovers strolling hand in hand down the street? It has been a long time since we've witnessed such scenes. The current issue is that we are cultivating weak men who believe their entire value is tied to their financial resources," he expressed.
Today, relationships are costly. It used to be simple: a meat pie, a Mr. Biggs Fanta, and it was all very affordable back in the day. And women were genuinely grateful. However, men must also take some responsibility, as it is the feeble men who establish the expectations – women accepted and elevated the standards. He encouraged men to seek ways to provide more in relationships beyond just finances. The music star noted that emotional intelligence and other personal attributes could ignite genuine interest in women far more than merely flaunting wealth.