Media personality and actress Toke Makinwa has ignited fierce debate after advising men to date within their financial class, warning that chasing partners they cannot afford breeds unnecessary relationship problems and heartbreak.
Speaking on the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the outspoken star declared:
“I am a big believer of date within your wage and within your class. That way there will not be stories that touch. 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.”
Toke argued that many relationship failures stem from financial mismatch, with men abandoning supportive partners for women beyond their means, only to later complain about materialism.
“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. And that scares women. Money doesn’t change people, it just reveals who the person is. So many men are treating women who sacrificed everything for them badly,” she added.
The comments have triggered massive backlash and support online, with some men accusing Toke of commodifying women while others praised her for promoting financial compatibility and realism in relationships. Women, on the other hand, have pointed out the double standards, with many arguing that men should also accept partners in their own bracket rather than expecting loyalty while pursuing “high-value” options.
Toke’s statement has once again positioned her as a lightning rod for relationship discourse, drawing both admiration for her candour and criticism for what some see as overly transactional views on love.