LAGOS
Veteran Nollywood actress opens up on money, relationships, and why she believes financial support isn’t optional for men who want to date
Nollywood veteran Bukky Wright has sparked conversation online after speaking candidly about relationships, money, and the responsibilities she believes men owe the women they date
During a recent interview, the 59-year-old actress took issue with men who brand women “gold diggers” simply for expecting financial support from a partner. She questioned the logic behind the label, arguing there’s nothing wrong with a woman expecting to be well provided for, and suggesting she’d never encourage any woman to settle for less than the best.
Wright argued that financial care in a relationship shouldn’t be something a woman has to request. In her view, a man who’s serious about a woman should anticipate her needs and provide for her proactively, rather than waiting to be asked.
Asked directly whether men without the financial means to support a partner should simply avoid dating, Wright didn’t hold back. Her message was straightforward: if you can’t afford it, don’t date — or find a partner whose expectations match what you can actually provide.
The comments drew a wave of reactions online, with opinions sharply divided. Some criticized her stance as promoting materialism in relationships and potentially setting women up for hardship, including single motherhood, while others accused her of encouraging polygamous or transactional dynamics. Critics on both sides weighed in heavily on the actress’s comments.
Bukky Wright is a longtime fixture in the Nigerian film industry, known both for her acting career and her outspoken views on relationships and womanhood. She has previously spoken publicly about her decision to leave Nigeria years ago before eventually returning.
This isn’t the first time Wright has made headlines this year. She recently issued a public warning about scammers impersonating her on social media, using her name and image to promote a fraudulent job opportunity abroad. The actress clarified she had no connection to the scheme and urged followers to be cautious of accounts falsely claiming to represent her.
