Apostle Johnson Suleman Shares 4 Dating Rules for Nigerian Singles
Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has shared four dating rules every Nigerian single should hear before saying 'yes' to a relationship. His advice, delivered during a sermon on relationships and marriage, addresses common pitfalls in modern dating, from dinner date etiquette to financial honesty.
The cleric's message comes amid heated online debates about dating norms in Nigeria, where rising costs of living and social media pressures have made romance increasingly complicated. Suleman's practical tips aim to help singles build relationships on honesty, patience, and mutual respect.
Rule 1: Don't Date the Wrong Person Expecting Marriage to Fix Them
According to Suleman, many people hope to marry the right person while knowingly dating the wrong one. He warned that rushing into relationships due to loneliness or societal pressure often leads to regret. 'If you believe God to marry the right person, then you better date the right person,' he said. Rather than settling and praying for a partner to change after marriage, he advised singles to wait for someone who aligns with their values from the start.
Rule 2: Desperation Destroys Discernment
For Suleman, desperation is one of the biggest enemies of good relationship decisions. He said people who become overly anxious about getting married often overlook obvious warning signs because they are afraid of being single. This resonates in a society where questions like 'When are we coming to eat your wedding rice?' or 'You're not getting younger' are almost unavoidable. According to the preacher, patience gives people room to make wiser choices, while desperation makes them vulnerable to costly mistakes.
Rule 3: A Dinner Date Is Not Free Food
Perhaps the most viral part of Suleman's message was his advice about dinner dates. 'A dinner date is a platform for familiarisation, not a cure for starvation,' he said. He advised women to eat before leaving home and carry enough money to cover whatever they order in case the man doesn't pay. He also frowned at the idea of packing takeaway after a first date, urging women to see dinner dates as opportunities to get to know someone rather than opportunities for free meals. This advice taps into ongoing Nigerian debates over 'billing,' expensive dates, and first-date etiquette.
Rule 4: Men Should Stop Pretending to Be Richer Than They Are
The preacher also had a message for men. He advised them not to invite women to restaurants beyond their budget just to make an impression. According to him, there's nothing wrong with choosing a place you can genuinely afford. What matters is honesty, planning, and avoiding the awkward situation of acting shocked by menu prices after sitting down. His advice: check the prices beforehand, choose a restaurant within your budget, and communicate clearly instead of creating unnecessary pressure for yourself.
Why This Advice Is Resonating
Suleman's comments tap into conversations that have dominated Nigerian social media for years. From 'soft life' expectations to debates about who should pay on the first date, relationships have become one of the internet's favourite topics. Add inflation, rising food prices, and the pressure to keep up appearances online, and it's easy to see why dating has become more complicated than ever. While some people will agree with Suleman's advice and others will disagree, his message boils down to one simple idea: relationships work better when they're built on honesty, patience, and mutual respect, not desperation, fake lifestyles, or the promise of a free meal.
