Nigerian comedian Bovi has taken a sharp jab at the conservative stance many Nigerian parents adopt toward dating, suggesting it contributes to the increasing instability of modern marriages.
Speaking candidly on the popular Nedu Wazobia Podcast, Bovi dissected the cultural paradox that sees parents shielding their children from the opposite sex, only to later demand updates on marriage plans.
“Parents in Nigeria are funny,” Bovi quipped. “They tell their kids not to interact with the opposite sex, almost as if it’s a crime. But then, one day out of the blue, they’ll be asking, ‘So when are we meeting your boyfriend or girlfriend?’
How is that supposed to happen when you’ve spent years telling them to avoid relationships?”
Reflecting on his youth, Bovi painted a nostalgic picture of a time when relationships were cloaked in secrecy. Young couples relied on love letters, coded notes, and hushed conversations to express their feelings.
The fear of parental discovery loomed large, often forcing young people into a cycle of deception when it came to their romantic lives.
“I remember when asking a girl out was like preparing for a secret mission,” Bovi joked. “If her parents found out, you were finished.
So, we found ways around it—love notes, discreet meetings, anything to avoid drama. But that’s not healthy. It sets the stage for a lack of transparency later in life.”
He stressed that overprotection during adolescence robs young people of the opportunity to develop emotional maturity. “If you don’t let them date and understand relationships early, how do they learn? Marriage doesn’t suddenly make people experts in handling relationships,” he argued.
Bovi urged parents to strike a balance between guidance and freedom, allowing their children to date when they’ve reached a reasonable level of maturity.
“We need to trust our kids more and teach them how to build honest and respectful relationships. That’s the foundation for strong marriages, not this culture of secrecy and fear.”
