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Globally, money is a symbol of power, hope, and protection. It draws the line between poverty and affluence, elevating status, boosting confidence, and often cushioning individuals from consequences. In today’s world, money is the shock absorber for many transgressions.
In Africa, and especially in Nigeria, money is everything. A man’s worth is often measured by his financial capacity. It defines influence, commands respect, and unfortunately, creates an imbalance in social judgment. In practical terms, money insulates the wealthy from scrutiny while the poor are harshly judged even when their actions are justified. The same excuses from a rich man sound reasonable, but from a poor man, they are met with disdain. In many cases, being poor is treated like a crime.
The recent CHIVIDO wedding frenzy on social media underscores this reality. The union of Davido, a Nigerian A list artist, and Chioma Avril Rowland was met with wild celebration. The glamor, the display, the status it was the climax of a long and tumultuous love affair. But more importantly, it revealed the double standards many Nigerian women hold when it comes to love, loyalty, and morality.
Davido’s relationship with Chioma has been anything but perfect. Over the years, there have been numerous allegations of infidelity, some backed with video evidence, including a scandal in 2023 involving an alleged pregnancy in the US. Despite this, the wedding was celebrated as a fairy tale.
This isn’t about demonizing Davido. Every man has his flaws. But the issue is the glaring hypocrisy displayed by many Nigerian women, including self proclaimed feminists, who previously stood firm against cheating and toxic relationships. Suddenly, those same women are now calling Chioma a “queen and more,” praying for their own “Davido,” and glorifying a relationship they would have condemned if the man involved were not wealthy or famous.
These are the same women who routinely advise their friends and sisters to leave poor men for even the slightest indiscretion. These are the women who loudly raise concerns about HIV, STDs, and emotional trauma when a financially struggling man cheats. But when it’s a billionaire musician, the narrative flips. Morals are suspended. Standards become negotiable.
What changed? Nothing, except money.
The truth is uncomfortable many Nigerian women, especially the single ones, are quick to compromise when wealth enters the picture. The same actions that earn condemnation when committed by a poor man are excused, even celebrated, when the man is rich. This inconsistency is as loud as it is shameful.
Davido’s wedding to Chioma teaches men a fundamental lesson money changes everything. It covers flaws, cleanses reputations, and rewrites narratives. When the Bible says, “Money answereth all things” (Ecclesiastes 10:19), it wasn’t exaggerating. In today’s Nigeria, money doesn’t just answer it silences criticism, buys admiration, and rewrites wrongs.
A similar case is that of Regina Daniels. Many Nigerian women, feminists included, who once condemned early marriage and polygamy now celebrate Regina for marrying billionaire Ned Nwoko, a man old enough to be her grandfather. They use her as a role model for younger girls, conveniently forgetting their earlier advocacy. Regina is now a third wife, and many see nothing wrong with it. Why? Because money answered every concern. Even Regina calls her aged, polygamous husband “baby” a title only money can justify in this context.
As a man, I’ve learned not to take the words of some Nigerian women at face value. Their rules often shift depending on who’s involved. Most women don’t refuse to submit to men they refuse to submit to poor men. Their standards are flexible, their boundaries negotiable, and their principles selectively applied.
With comfort and luxury, almost every shortcoming of a man becomes tolerable. Will Davido cheat again? Possibly. But Chioma may never consider leaving. Why? Because wealth makes up for many shortcomings. The same applies to Regina Daniels. And in truth, many women in high end relationships tolerate cheating as long as the lifestyle remains intact.
Sadly, in Nigeria, a poor man is always guilty. I once read a statement that perfectly captures this sentiment “In Nigeria, make money before you make mistakes.” Just yesterday, a woman tweeted, “If you leave a cheating husband, thousands of women are ready to take your place.” That’s the reality many face.
As a man, know this when you’re rich, the only judge that matters is God. Society rarely questions a wealthy man. If you are a man in Nigeria, you don’t just need reasons to make money you need millions of them.
Money may be the root of all evil, but it remains the only thing that “answereth all things.” And never forget the rules some women set are reserved only for poor men. No woman sets rules for a billionaire.
Sunny Ibeh Jnr
Media and Communication Executive
Abuja, Nigeria
