Toke Makinwa Explains Why Nigerian Women Are Branded Materialistic, Blames Men

Nollywood actress and media personality, Toke Makinwa, has pushed back against the widespread perception that modern Nigerian women are overly materialistic and primarily pursue relationships or marriage for financial gain.

The actress maintained that relationships between men and women have always involved some form of exchange, insisting that the idea is not unique to today’s society.

Speaking during a recent episode of the MENtality Podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa argued that many Nigerian women are labelled as materialistic because a significant number of Nigerian men have little else to contribute to relationships beyond money, PulseNets learnt.

According to her, “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. And the degree at which it is happening now, I will blame the men. Sometimes, that [financial benefits] is all men have to offer.”

She further claimed that many Nigerian men rely heavily on their financial status when pursuing women instead of developing meaningful personal 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.”

Also Read: Don’t demand from men what you can’t afford — Toke Makinwa tells ladies

Makinwa also suggested that men’s behaviour has contributed to the rise in materialistic expectations among some women, noting that repeated financial gestures have shaped how many approach relationships.

She added, “Men have offered women 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.”