Toke Makinwa has ignited a fresh online debate after appearing on the Mentality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Banky W. The Nollywood actress and media personality made several provocative statements about relationships, money, and men, drawing sharp reactions from the public.
Relationships as Transactional
On the podcast, Makinwa asserted that relationships between men and women have always been transactional. '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. 'You know, a woman will feel like she wants to ask her husband for something, she has to throw on the nicest underwear, make his best meal, rub him, like Esther, before she had to go before the king. Things have changed over the years, now social media is a bit extreme.'
Blaming Men for Transactional Culture
Makinwa placed the blame for the rise of transactional dating squarely on men. 'The degree at which it is happening now, I would blame the men. Sometimes that's all men have to offer,' she stated.
Dating Within Your Wage
When the conversation turned to the culture of women 'billing' men—demanding money and gifts as a condition for romance—Makinwa drew a distinction between that and responsible dating. 'I'm a big believer in dating within your wage, that way, there will not be stories that touch,' she said. 'You will have a good girl at home, a girl who will even make dinner with her own money when you don't have. Yet, some men will still want to cheat on her with a woman they can't afford.'
Warning About Men Who 'Blow'
The comment that generated the most backlash was her warning about men who become successful after marriage. 'Heaven forbid you end up with a guy who hasn't blown. The day he blows, that is when you will know his true personality,' she said. 'Money doesn't change people; it just reveals who the person is. So many men are treating women who sacrificed everything for them badly.'
Public Reaction Divided
Social media users were sharply divided. Some praised Makinwa for speaking hard truths about modern dating dynamics, while others dismissed her views as cynical or entitled. The debate tapped into ongoing conversations in Nigeria about transactional dating, financial expectations, and gender roles.
