“Run Am If E Say” – Nigerian Man Sparks Outrage After Bragging About Banning His Oyibo Wife from Social Media for 8 Months

Social media has once again been set ablaze after a Nigerian man took to X (formerly Twitter) to proudly announce that he has successfully kept his white wife away from social media for the past eight months, boasting about his dominance in the relationship and sparking heated reactions across Nigeria and beyond. The man, identified by his handle as Dr STANO (@realBigStanH), left many in shock and disbelief when he unapologetically bragged about dictating to his partner what she can and cannot do online. His controversial post quickly attracted attention, not just because of its boldness but also because of the cultural undertones it carried, especially with his insistence that Nigerian women would never allow such restrictions.

In his now-viral statement, he wrote, “A Nigerian man can’t tell his Nigerian wife to close her page on social media. Dem never born am well. I run am! It is been so for 8 months. I decide when she comes back, I run am with a conservative oyibo woman whom I take 4 years senior. Run am e be easy. Clear road!” The choice of words, especially his use of the popular Nigerian street slang “run am,” which loosely translates to “I control it” or “I have it handled,” has given his claims an extra layer of arrogance that many Nigerians found unsettling. He positioned his control as a sort of victory, a feat impossible with a Nigerian woman, while painting his foreign wife as submissive and easy to handle.

The comments and reactions that followed were swift, sharp, and divided. Some users immediately condemned his statement, calling it controlling, patriarchal, and a form of subtle abuse, while others hailed him as a man who knows how to keep his home in order. A few even suggested that his wife’s silence on the matter might mean she is fine with the arrangement, though critics were quick to point out that silence is not always consent and that staying away from social media under such a directive could indicate pressure or coercion.

The debate quickly expanded beyond his personal marriage to a broader cultural conversation about gender dynamics, relationships between Nigerian men and foreign women, and the differences in expectations between local and international marriages. His claim that Nigerian women would never allow themselves to be restricted by their husbands became the focal point of many discussions. Some Nigerian women online argued that his statement undermines their autonomy and paints them as rebellious, while others wore it as a badge of pride, insisting that the unwillingness to be controlled should be celebrated and not shamed.

Interestingly, a section of Nigerian men in the comments praised his stance, seeing it as proof that foreign women are more traditional, more submissive, and easier to manage compared to Nigerian women who they often accuse of being too “woke” or “stubborn.” These comments, however, only fueled more outrage, with critics accusing them of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Nigerian women and romanticizing submission in a way that normalizes control and dominance in marriages. The cultural undertones of his boast cannot be overlooked. By pointing out that his wife is a “conservative oyibo woman” who is four years older than him, he seemed to be sending a message that even an older, supposedly more experienced foreign woman could bow to his authority, while Nigerian women, in his view, are unyielding. The juxtaposition stirred heated arguments about cultural values, with some arguing that Nigerian women simply value independence and mutual respect in marriage rather than total submission.

What made the post trend even more was the manner in which he relayed it. The confidence and the almost celebratory tone with which he announced keeping his wife off social media made it seem like an achievement worthy of applause. He portrayed himself as the ultimate decision-maker in the household, framing his wife’s absence from social platforms not as her choice but as his. This further raised questions about consent, equality in marriage, and the right of women, regardless of nationality, to have their own voices.

On the flip side, there were also lighter reactions from people who treated his statement as pure online bants. Some joked about how long it would take before the wife herself comes online to tell her side of the story. Others laughed at the fact that his “achievement” was being celebrated as though it were a trophy, with one commenter sarcastically writing, “Bros, so your bragging rights is that your wife no dey Instagram? Na wa o.” Memes also flooded social media, with pictures of Nigerian women posting confidently captioned with phrases like “You can’t run am here o.”

Despite the jokes and sarcasm, the seriousness of the issue remains. Many activists and feminists online pointed out that restricting a partner’s social media activity is a red flag for control and possibly emotional abuse. They stressed that marriage should be built on mutual understanding and agreement rather than authoritarian rules imposed by one party. Some even suggested that his wife might not fully understand the cultural implications of what was happening or might simply be going along with it to avoid conflict, which could be dangerous in the long run.

The debate has also reignited conversations about how Nigerian men often perceive relationships with foreign women. There is a long-standing stereotype that foreign women, especially white women, are more submissive and easier to “manage” compared to Nigerian women. Many critics argue that this narrative is not only misleading but also damaging, as it reduces marriage to a power play rather than a partnership. His post seemed to reinforce this stereotype, and the backlash showed that many Nigerians are tired of such generalizations.

As the dust continues to settle on this controversial post, it is clear that it has touched on sensitive issues of gender, culture, and power dynamics. Whether or not his wife will eventually speak up remains to be seen, but for now, his bold proclamation has placed him at the center of a national conversation. Some people still support him, believing that every marriage has its own rules and agreements that outsiders may not understand. Others remain firm that bragging about control, especially in the public space of social media, is a dangerous precedent that should not be applauded.

What is undeniable, however, is that his statement has exposed once again the cultural divide in how marriage is perceived in different societies. In Nigeria, where conversations about patriarchy, feminism, and gender roles are constantly evolving, his words hit a nerve and sparked yet another wave of discourse. The irony is that while he celebrates his power to keep his wife off social media, it is the very platform he so proudly restricts that gave him the stage to make his boast. Without Twitter, there would be no “run am” to brag about.

In the end, this episode is more than just about a man and his wife. It is a mirror reflecting broader issues about marriage, culture, and respect in relationships. Whether Nigerians laugh it off as bants or take it as a serious warning about control in marriages, one thing is sure: Dr STANO has sparked a debate that will linger long after his tweet fades from the timeline.