RismadarVoice Reporters
July 6, 2026
Media personality and Nollywood actress, Toke Makinwa has argued that many Nigerian men rely primarily on money to attract women, insisting that this has contributed to the perception that modern Nigerian women are overly materialistic.
Speaking on a recent episode of the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa rejected claims that Nigerian women date or marry mainly for financial gain.
According to her, romantic relationships have always involved some form of exchange, describing them as transactional since ancient times.
“From time immemorial, a relationship between a man and a woman has always been transactional, right from the Garden of Eden, right from our parents’ days,” she said.
Makinwa, however, argued that the increasing emphasis on money in modern relationships is largely driven by men, claiming that many Nigerian men have little else to offer when trying to attract women.
“I will blame the men. Sometimes, that [financial benefits] is all men have to offer,” she said.
She further claimed that once many Nigerian men become financially successful, they often attempt to attract women by spending lavishly rather than building genuine connections.
“Nigerian men don’t have games aside from money. Once a Nigerian man makes money, he starts throwing it at the hottest girls. Sometimes, you meet a man and you want to know him but he is offering you money,” she stated.
Makinwa also maintained that men have encouraged materialistic attitudes among some women by making money the foundation of courtship.
“Men have offered women the strangest things, and it made me realise that men feel cash is all they need to show you. Most girls who are materialistic today, men taught them how to make demands,” she added.
