Chef Uriel Sparks Debate on Marriage as She Labels Men “Narcissistic Princesses”

Celebrity chef and media personality Uriel Oputa has ignited fresh debate over marriage in Nigeria after a candid social media post where she openly questioned the institution, calling men “inconsistent, egotistical, narcissistic, manipulative…princesses.”

Her sharp words reflect not just personal experience but a wider shift in attitudes that is increasingly challenging Nigeria’s deeply rooted marital traditions.

Uriel’s stance mirrors the findings of a 2023 University of Ibadan study which revealed that 62% of urban women above the age of 30 delay marriage due to perceived incompatibility. Once seen as a societal must, marriage is gradually losing its unquestioned status, with more women prioritizing stability and emotional health over societal expectations.

Her choice of words, however, cuts deeper, echoing psychological research. A 2021 paper in the Journal of Personality Disorders listed traits such as manipulation, egotism, and narcissism as classic patterns of toxic behavior.

By attributing these characteristics to men, Uriel brings her private frustrations into the public space, sparking conversations that blend lived experience with clinical definitions of dysfunction.

The rise of social media has only amplified these tensions. A 2024 Marriage in Nigeria report showed how exposure to diverse cultural narratives online has reshaped expectations, with platforms providing both inspiration and disillusionment in equal measure.

At the same time, data shows intercultural marriages in Nigeria have increased by 15% since 2020, highlighting how the internet is opening doors to alternative relationship models even as it exposes the cracks in traditional ones.

Uriel’s post, equal parts raw and unapologetic, has drawn mixed reactions—some applaud her honesty as a refreshing voice for women refusing to settle, while others accuse her of unfairly generalizing.

But beyond the backlash, her words reflect a generational shift in Nigeria: a readiness to question, to redefine, and to challenge societal scripts about love and marriage.