Toke Makinwa Lights Up the Internet with Bold Claim: ‘Men Are the Biggest Gold Diggers in the World’

Media personality and talk show host Toke Makinwa has once again ignited a firestorm of online debate after boldly declaring that men, not women, are the “biggest gold diggers in the world.” Her statement, made during a new episode of her popular podcast Toke Moments, has sent social media into overdrive as Nigerians dissect age-old gender stereotypes, relationship expectations, and the role of money in marriage.

Toke, known for her unapologetic takes on love, life, and society, delved deep into the conversation about financial demands in relationships, calling out what she described as the hypocrisy surrounding how men and women are judged. She argued that society has consistently portrayed women as the ones seeking financial benefits in relationships, yet often ignores the strategic, calculated ways men position themselves to access wealth through marriage.

In her words, “People are constantly always insulting women for knowing what they want. You sit with all these podcasts as men, or you air your thoughts as some men and say women are dating men for money, women are doing this.” Her tone carried both frustration and clarity, signaling her irritation with the repeated one-sided narratives that paint women as the chief beneficiaries of financially motivated relationships.

But it was her next statement that truly shook the table and sent it crashing across the internet. “The other gender are the biggest gold diggers in the world. They marry generational wealth, and they do it without shame. And I don’t hate on them,” she said. Social media platforms erupted immediately. While some praised her for speaking an uncomfortable truth many avoid, others accused her of being divisive, exaggerating, or promoting selective storytelling.

Toke went further to give a practical example of why she stands by her opinion. She openly stated that if her own brother brought two women to her and asked for guidance on whom to marry, she would not hesitate to tell him to choose the one from a financially stable background. “If my brother comes to me with two ladies and asks which one to marry, I will advise him to marry the one from a good financial background,” she said, emphasizing that financial security is a smart, not shameful, consideration.

Her remarks opened a familiar but often contentious conversation around gender and economic expectations. For years, men have publicly accused women of seeking financial stability through relationships, using phrases like “gold digger,” “materialistic,” or “money-driven.” Toke’s counterargument flipped the script entirely, pointing out that many men also intentionally pursue women from affluent homes but do so without facing the same criticism or social judgment.

Videos from the podcast episode immediately began circulating on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, with thousands weighing in. Some users applauded her courage, saying she gave voice to a reality people rarely acknowledge. One commenter wrote, “She’s right. Many men chase wealth too; they just package it differently. Women get judged, men get praised as ‘smart.’” Others insisted that both genders are guilty and that her statement only fuels unnecessary gender war. “This isn’t about men or women. Gold digging is a human behavior, not a gendered one,” another user argued.

The conversation expanded further as relationship coaches, influencers, and everyday Nigerians shared their own experiences. Some women recounted stories of men who only showed interest when they learned about their family background or financial potential. A few men countered by saying that society puts pressure on them to be providers, and some turn to wealthy partners because the financial expectations placed on them are overwhelming.

Interestingly, Toke’s statement also resurfaced previous public discussions about hypergamy — the act of marrying into a higher socioeconomic class — which has long been associated with women. Her take suggested that men also practice their own form of hypergamy, except theirs is often disguised as strategic compatibility, ambition alignment, or simply “marrying well.”

As the debate evolved, some fans expressed admiration for Toke’s honesty. They noted that her willingness to call out societal double standards is part of why she has remained a strong, influential voice in pop culture. Others accused her of generalizing and unfairly portraying men. But whether supportive or critical, one thing was consistent: everyone was talking about it.

Beyond the online noise, Toke’s comments reopened discussion about how much financial stability should influence relationship decisions. Her admission that she would advise her own brother to prioritize financial background reflects a reality many families quietly acknowledge. Several listeners agreed with her perspective, saying that love alone is not enough to build a sustainable marriage, especially given Nigeria’s harsh economy. For them, financial compatibility is not gold digging — it is wise planning.

Others, however, argued that marriage should be rooted in genuine connection, not financial advantage. They feared that normalizing such advice encourages materialism and reduces relationships to economic transactions. But Toke’s defenders maintained that her stance is not an endorsement of using people for money but a recognition of the importance of security, stability, and long-term survival.

Amid the heated arguments, some celebrity voices also chimed in subtly, either by liking related posts or sharing cryptic comments about modern dating realities. A few analysts even suggested that Toke might have intentionally stirred the pot to spark meaningful conversation on her podcast — a strategy that clearly worked, given the volume of reactions.

What stands out most from the ongoing conversation is how deeply money shapes Nigerian relationships today. From wedding bills to rent to family responsibilities, financial demands continue to influence who people date and marry. Toke’s comments touched the nerve of a society where economic struggles are real, expectations are high, and both genders are trying to navigate survival and love in their own ways.

As the dust slowly settles, one thing is undeniable: Toke Makinwa has, once again, succeeded in pushing difficult conversations into the open. Her statement, whether considered bold truth, provocative exaggeration, or a necessary wake-up call, has forced Nigerians to examine their assumptions about gender roles, relationship expectations, and the subtle ways money shapes emotional choices. Love may be blind, but in today’s world, financial clarity is very much in focus — and Toke has made sure everyone is paying attention.