Toke Makinwa Challenges Notions of Nigerian Women’s Materialism
Nollywood star and media personality Toke Makinwa has pushed back against the idea that modern Nigerian women are primarily interested in relationships for financial gain.
Speaking on the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa argued that romantic exchanges have always involved some form of give‑and‑take, tracing the pattern back to the Garden of Eden and earlier generations.
“From time immemorial, a relationship between a man and a woman has been transactional,” she said. “The extent we see today is largely driven by men, who often have little else to offer besides money.”
She noted that many Nigerian men approach dating by leading with cash, which shapes women’s expectations.
“Nigerian men don’t have games aside from money. Once they make it, they start throwing it at the most attractive women. Sometimes you meet a guy who wants to know you, but his first move is to offer cash,” Makinwa explained.
According to her, repeated exposure to this behaviour leads some women to develop materialistic standards, essentially learning to demand financial benefits from men.
“Men have given women the strangest things, showing that they believe cash is all they need to prove their worth. Most women who appear materialistic today were taught by men how to make those demands,” she added.
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