Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has sparked conversations online after criticising how many parents discourage dating among young people but later expect them to easily transition into marriage.
Speaking during a recent discussion on relationships and societal expectations, the comedian argued that many Nigerian parents tend to restrict harmless dating experiences while their children are growing up.
According to him, young people are often not allowed to express emotions or engage in innocent social interactions such as going on outings or exchanging love letters.
“Most parents, you no want hear your pikin get boyfriend, but when they reach a certain age, you’ll be asking them to bring husband. Where dem wan see husband from?” he said.
“You didn’t go to the cinema with the person you liked. You didn’t take walks or write letters, because if they see love letter in secondary school, it’s like the world is ending,” he added.
Bovi further argued that the way dating is “criminalised” in Nigerian society may be contributing to relationship challenges and rising divorce rates.
“We criminalise dating culture in Nigeria, and now we are wondering why marriages are breaking,” he stated.
In recent years, discussions around parenting styles, emotional maturity, and healthy relationship experiences before marriage have continued to trend across social media.
Many users agreed with his perspective, while others maintained that strict parenting helps protect young people from negative influences and early distractions.
The post has continued to generate debate online.
“There are many broken marriages because parents didn’t teach their children how to go on dates . Parents should allow their children go on dates”
— Bovi pic.twitter.com/1IOAGjNYIw
— HEADY👑 (@its_heady_again) May 26, 2026
