By Ifeanyi Okenwa
Media personality and actress Toke Makinwa has stirred fresh
debate about modern relationships after saying many Nigerian men struggle to
build genuine emotional connections and often depend on money to express
affection.
Speaking on a recent episode of the MENtality podcast
hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa argued that financial generosity has
become the default language of love for many men, leaving emotional support,
meaningful conversations and genuine understanding in the background. According
to her, this has played a major role in shaping the belief that Nigerian women
are excessively materialistic.
She explained that, in her view, many men believe providing
money is enough to attract or keep a woman. Rather than taking time to
understand someone's personality, values and interests, she said some quickly
turn to expensive gifts or cash as the easiest way to impress. Makinwa claimed
she has personally encountered situations where men offered money almost
immediately instead of trying to build a real connection.
Reflecting on relationships over the years, she suggested
that exchanges between men and women have always carried some form of
transaction. However, she argued that today's culture has become more heavily
centred on financial rewards because many men have conditioned women to expect
them. In her words, once some men become financially successful, they often
assume money alone is enough to win the attention of the women they desire.
Makinwa maintained that many women who now place strong
emphasis on material benefits did not develop those expectations on their own.
Instead, she believes repeated experiences with men who equate spending with
love have encouraged that mindset. She added that the trend has created a
relationship culture where emotional intelligence and open communication are
frequently overlooked.
Her comments have since divided opinion across social media.
While some users agreed that emotional maturity deserves greater attention in
relationships and praised her for raising the issue, others criticised her
remarks as an unfair generalisation, insisting that many Nigerian men value
emotional intimacy just as much as financial responsibility. The discussion
continues to attract strong reactions, with supporters and critics offering different
perspectives on what truly sustains healthy relationships.
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