Relationships
Should Young Nigerians Wait Until Their 30s Before Getting Married?
Falz says people should wait until their 30s before getting married because that's when they're more emotionally, mentally, and financially ready.
The internet had mixed reactions, but beyond the debate lies a bigger question: are young Nigerians delaying marriage by choice, or because life has become more uncertain?
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Nigerian rapper and actor Falz recently advised young people to wait until their 30s before getting married. Speaking on The BTS Reality Podcast, he said people in their 20s are still figuring life out, while their 30s often bring better emotional, mental, and financial readiness for a lifelong commitment.
But that's his reality.
For many young Nigerians, the conversation isn't just about age. It's about timing.
The truth is, most Nigerian men don't experience their biggest financial breakthrough until much later in life. At the same time, newer career paths like tech, content creation, football, and entrepreneurship are creating opportunities for some young people to become financially stable much earlier than previous generations.
That's why the conversation around marriage has become more complicated.
It's now common to hear that a 22-year-old English footballer is married with two children. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, young people are still debating whether Peller is too young to settle down.
The difference isn't always maturity.
Sometimes, it's opportunity.
Romance has also taken a back seat to survival.
Rising living costs, career uncertainty, and financial pressure have changed how many young Nigerians approach relationships. Dating has become more cautious, more transactional, and, in many cases, heavily dependent on virtual communication.
As one relationship expert puts it:
"Young people are not less romantic. They're just more anxious. They don't trust that anything, whether it's jobs, countries, or partners, will stay the same. So, they adapt by keeping things open-ended."
That probably explains why the talking stage refuses to end.
For many people, it's no longer just a phase before dating. It's a way of testing compatibility without taking on the full emotional or financial weight of a relationship. In many ways, it's become a risk-minimisation strategy, allowing people to enjoy companionship while keeping one foot outside the door.
Whether you agree with Falz or not, one thing is clear: relationships today are very different from what they were a generation ago.
If you're in your 20s and navigating today's dating scene, a few things are worth keeping in mind:
Talk early. Have honest conversations about finances, career goals, and expectations before getting too emotionally invested.
Spot the red flags. Be careful of relationships where you're seen mainly as a financial solution rather than a life partner.
Be real. Don't fake a lifestyle, salary, or level of success just to impress someone. The pressure to "keep up" isn't worth it.
Marriage isn't a race, and neither is staying single.
The important thing is making the decision when you're genuinely ready, not because social media or society says it's time.
