A Nigerian man from Akwa Ibom state has set social media abuzz with his uncompromising dating requirements that prioritize financial responsibility and personal independence.
The Three Non-Negotiable Requirements
Ifioque, the man at the center of the discussion, took to Facebook on Monday to outline his dating criteria, emphasizing that he's now in his 30s and his priorities have significantly changed. His post quickly gained traction as Nigerians debated the practicality and fairness of his standards.
The first requirement that caught attention was health insurance. Ifioque stated he cannot date a woman without health coverage, even if it's one of the more affordable plans costing around N6,000 monthly. He explained his reasoning: "Problems don't send a notice before they show up. Anything can happen, and if she suddenly needs urgent medical help when we're both down on money, I want to be sure we are not badly affected."
He added that while love is beautiful, a serious medical emergency could severely strain any relationship, noting that he already maintains his own health insurance coverage.
Independence and Life Experience Matter
The second requirement focuses on residential independence. Ifioque insists that any woman he dates must have her own apartment. Interestingly, he clarified that this isn't because he plans to live with her - he actually follows his older brother's advice from 2016 to never frequent a woman's apartment, even if she's his girlfriend.
His concern revolves around autonomy. "Without your own place, you don't have full control over your life," he argued. He described scenarios where women with family homes face curfews, locked gates by 11 PM, and the need to inform multiple family members weeks in advance for overnight stays.
"We cannot go to parties and return late because you need to get back home. You cannot stay over at my place without telling 9 family members two weeks in advance. I don't have that kind of strength," he wrote.
Beyond Basic Requirements
The third criterion involves life experience. Ifioque stated he cannot date a woman who has never lived outside her hometown, regardless of how educated, smart, or well-spoken she might be.
He believes that continuous residence in one community limits perspective: "If you've spent your whole life in one spot, the world has not yet opened up in your eyes. This will show in your choices, how you handle money, the kind of opportunities you notice, even the kind of future you see for yourself."
According to him, such limited exposure often results in modest ambitions like acquiring a small Camry, building a basic house, or maintaining a small palm oil farm. He contends that broader experiences can remedy what he terms "small-mindedness."
He concluded with a physical preference, almost as an afterthought: "She MUST have arse. Big, supple arse."
The post has sparked widespread discussion about modern dating standards in Nigeria, with many debating whether such specific requirements reflect practical wisdom or unreasonable demands in today's relationship landscape.
