Media personality and actress Toke Makinwa has opened up about why she no longer buys gifts for men she is romantically involved with, saying a painful experience during her university days changed her perspective.
Speaking on a recent episode of her Toke Moments podcast, which featured reality TV star Beauty Tukura, Makinwa recounted how an older boyfriend’s betrayal left a lasting impact on her.
According to her, the relationship ended after she discovered he had been unfaithful despite the sacrifices she made to celebrate his birthday.
Makinwa revealed that she used her university tuition fees to organise a birthday celebration for the man, who was 10 years older than her, including treating him to a meal at an Italian restaurant in Victoria Island.
She recalled that after the outing, they returned to his house only for her to discover another woman there.
“I stopped buying men gifts after I dated a man who was 10 years older than me. I spent my university semester’s school fees to celebrate his birthday and took him to an Italian restaurant in Victoria Island.
“He ordered everything on the menu. When we got home… there was another woman in his house. That broke me,” she said.
Makinwa said the incident deeply affected her and ultimately led her to stop buying gifts for men in her relationships.
BACKSTORY:
Toke Makinwa is a Nigerian media personality, actress, entrepreneur and podcast host known for openly discussing relationships, personal growth and life experiences. Through her Toke Moments podcast, she frequently shares stories from her past while hosting conversations on dating, marriage, self-worth and modern relationships.
Over the years, Makinwa has spoken candidly about the emotional impact of some of her past relationships, including experiences of heartbreak and betrayal. She has often used these experiences to explain how they have shaped her views on love, boundaries and financial independence.
In her latest revelation, Makinwa recounted an incident from her university days when she said she spent her semester’s school fees to celebrate the birthday of a boyfriend who was 10 years older than her. According to her, she later discovered another woman at his residence after the celebration, an experience she described as deeply traumatic.
She said the incident fundamentally changed her approach to relationships and is the reason she no longer buys gifts for men she dates. The revelation has sparked conversations on social media about generosity in relationships, financial boundaries and the lessons people take from painful romantic experiences.
