"There Are Not Enough Billionaires for All of Us to Be Housewives” – Jemima Osunde Calls Out Entitled Baddies Who Refuse to Work in Today’s Harsh Economy

The Nigerian entertainment space thrives on more than just movies, music, and glamour. It has become a hub for social commentary, lifestyle debates, and the never-ending clash of ideals between modern-day youth trying to define their place in a rapidly changing economy. Actress Jemima Osunde has now stirred the pot with a statement that has left social media buzzing, not just because of its blunt delivery, but because it speaks to the heart of an uncomfortable reality in Nigeria and beyond. With rising inflation, job scarcity, and a widening gap between the ultra-wealthy and the struggling masses, the fantasy of effortlessly living off a billionaire husband’s wealth is clashing with the stark truth that, as Osunde bluntly puts it, there are simply not enough billionaires to go around.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Jemima Osunde made a post that struck a nerve across the gender and generational divide. She questioned why so many young women are adopting an entitled mentality of waiting to be “sponsored” into a life of leisure while refusing to put in any effort themselves. In her words, “Work his ass off for money. Wetin do your own ass? You don’t want to work? In this economy? It’s like some of you think we’re still living in Bible times. My good sis, there’s not enough billionaires in the world for all of us to be housewives. You better go and look for work.” The directness of her post left no room for ambiguity. It was a wake-up call, laced with humor and sarcasm, but grounded in the gritty economic reality that many choose to ignore.

Osunde’s comment touched on something deeper than mere lifestyle preferences. In a country where unemployment rates remain stubbornly high, where young people are grappling with survival amidst soaring costs of living, the idea of waiting passively for a wealthy partner is not just unrealistic, but impractical. Her words expose the widening culture of entitlement, where the hard work that previous generations considered a natural part of adulthood is now being brushed aside by some as outdated or optional. Yet, her critics argue that she oversimplified the issue, pointing out that the economic system itself is rigged against hardworking young people who often find that diligence and education do not automatically translate to success.

The actress’s statement set off a heated online conversation, with some praising her courage for voicing what many silently think but fear to say. Supporters flooded her timeline, agreeing that too many people now romanticize the “soft life” without considering who is supposed to fund it. “People act like billionaires are just hanging on trees waiting to marry them,” one user wrote. Another chimed in, “Even billionaires’ wives work. Look at the richest women in the world—they are CEOs, businesswomen, professionals. Why should you fold your arms and wait for a miracle marriage?”

But not everyone agreed with Osunde. Some accused her of being judgmental and insensitive to women who genuinely desire to be homemakers. A section of her critics argued that being a housewife is not inherently wrong if it is a mutual arrangement between partners. Others went further, accusing her of echoing capitalist ideals that glorify work while ignoring the failures of governments to provide opportunities for young people to thrive. To them, Osunde’s post seemed like a privileged rant, considering she is a successful actress with financial security and a platform. “It’s easy for someone in her shoes to say ‘go and work,’ but not everyone has the same opportunities in Nollywood or elsewhere,” one critic posted.

Still, beyond the clashing opinions, one undeniable truth remains: Osunde’s words reflect a growing frustration with the culture of dependency that has seeped into Nigerian youth spaces. While there is nothing wrong with wanting a partner who is financially stable, the idea that wealth and security must come exclusively from another person is proving to be a fantasy too costly for the realities of the 21st century. The world’s billionaires number less than 3,000, according to Forbes, and even in Nigeria, the list of dollar billionaires can be counted on two hands. Yet, the number of young women openly declaring on social media that they would rather marry rich than work is far greater than the available pool of men who meet that description.

Jemima Osunde’s post was less about shaming women and more about pulling down the veil of delusion. In today’s world, where even the rich are diversifying their income streams to stay afloat, it is ironic that some believe they can simply opt out of work entirely and live on another’s wealth without consequence. She reminds us that relationships in this era must be built on partnership, shared responsibility, and a willingness to contribute—not just financially, but also in effort, vision, and resilience. The fantasy of being a housewife to a billionaire becomes shaky when the math doesn’t add up, and in Osunde’s blunt words, “there are not enough billionaires in the world for all of us to be housewives.”

The debate also exposes a clash of generational values. The older generation often emphasizes grit, hard work, and sacrifice, while Gen Z is increasingly vocal about rejecting what they see as “suffering disguised as hustle.” The idea of “soft life” has gained popularity as a rejection of the endless toil of parents who labored yet did not enjoy the fruits of their labor. But the danger lies in swinging to the opposite extreme, where self-sufficiency is abandoned entirely. Osunde’s statement warns against this pendulum swing, calling instead for balance—a recognition that while the desire for comfort is valid, the refusal to contribute one’s quota is neither sustainable nor realistic.

In the end, her words are a mirror to society, forcing uncomfortable but necessary reflection. How do we raise a generation that values independence while also acknowledging structural barriers? How do we teach young people that work is not just about survival, but about purpose and self-worth? And how do we bridge the gap between wanting a life of ease and putting in the effort required to achieve it? These are the questions Osunde’s tweet raises, whether one agrees with her or not.

Her post is a reminder that wealth is not evenly distributed, and not everyone will strike marital gold. Waiting for a billionaire to fall from the sky is not a strategy; it is wishful thinking. For many, the reality will be building brick by brick, creating something meaningful from scratch, and finding value in independence rather than entitlement. Jemima Osunde has simply said out loud what many have always known but refused to admit: if everyone waits to be kept, who will do the keeping?