A Nigerian man residing in the UK has reportedly called off his marriage plans after receiving an expensive and demanding traditional bride price list from his fiancée’s family.
The incident, shared by social media user Princess Adeola on her X platform, sheds light on the emotional distress experienced by the man and has sparked conversations about cultural traditions that may deter prospective grooms.
The bride price list, designed to honor the bride’s family, reportedly included items such as beverages, livestock, clothing, and monetary gifts for extended relatives, amounting to approximately ₦3.5 million. Despite his deep affection for the woman and his willingness to fund her education and relocate her abroad, the man was devastated to find that she supported her family’s financial demands, citing the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
The man, who had been managing a long-distance relationship, had previously sought guidance from a social media influencer regarding his intention to marry the woman.
In his frustration, he likened the demands to “selling a child,” expressing concern over starting a marriage with such financial pressure. He believed his efforts to invest in the woman’s future abroad should have outweighed the monetary expectations of her family.
Princess Adeola shared, “A man on my platform met a lady in Nigeria while he was living in the UK. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, he was dedicated to her. He even sought my advice, and I encouraged him to pursue it. However, he contacted me yesterday, heartbroken, after receiving a bride price list totaling ₦3.5 million from her family.”
“We had a long and emotional conversation. His pain wasn’t solely about the list but also about the fact that the woman he loves defended her family’s demands, arguing that everything in Nigeria is costly.
“How can anyone justify such an exorbitant request just for marriage? Doesn’t that risk setting the precedent for the man to view her as a ‘purchase’? It’s disappointing, and I hope women take a lesson from this. This man genuinely intended to support her education and provide a better future abroad. Now, due to her family’s greed, they’ve lost a good man.”
The man revealed that he has decided to end the relationship, expressing plans to block her and move on after allowing himself time to grieve and heal. “I feel sorry for the lady,” Adeola concluded. “If only she had stood her ground against her family’s demands. She’s about to lose a genuinely caring partner without even realizing it.”
