Media personality Toke Makinwa has stirred debate online after sharing her thoughts on the emotional intelligence of many Nigerian men.
Speaking on a recent episode of the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa argued that many Nigerian men place greater emphasis on financial provision than on building emotional intimacy and meaningful communication in relationships.
According to her, the perception that Nigerian women are excessively materialistic is partly a consequence of the way some men approach romantic relationships.
She maintained that many men equate financial generosity with affection, believing that money alone is enough to attract or sustain a woman’s interest.
Drawing from her personal observations, Makinwa said some men are quick to offer money rather than take time to genuinely know the person they are pursuing.
She stated that relationships between men and women have historically involved elements of exchange, but argued that many Nigerian men now rely almost exclusively on financial resources, especially after attaining wealth.
Makinwa added that she has encountered situations where men offered money almost immediately instead of trying to build a genuine connection, reinforcing the notion that financial gestures are all that is required to impress women.
She further argued that this pattern of behaviour has contributed to the growing culture of material expectations in modern relationships.
According to the actress, many women learned to prioritise material benefits because they were repeatedly conditioned to believe that money was the primary value men brought into relationships.
Her comments have since sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users agreeing that emotional intelligence is often neglected in relationships, while others criticised her remarks as an unfair generalisation of Nigerian men.
Discussions about gender roles, emotional intelligence and financial expectations in relationships have remained a recurring topic in Nigeria, particularly on social media and podcast platforms. Public figures and relationship commentators frequently debate whether modern relationships have become overly transactional and whether societal expectations placed on men and women contribute to unhealthy relationship dynamics. Toke Makinwa has often weighed in on issues surrounding dating, marriage, self-worth and gender expectations, with many of her opinions sparking widespread public debate and generating mixed reactions online.
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