Popular Nollywood actress and medical professional, Jemima Osunde, has sparked an online debate after calling out young women who believe they are entitled to the wealth of their partners. The actress said it is both unrealistic and lazy to expect a man especially a billionaire to take full financial responsibility for a woman who chooses not to work.
Taking to her official X (formerly Twitter) page, Jemima expressed her frustration with women who openly say they will only date or marry wealthy men. According to her, such expectations do not match the current state of the economy, both in Nigeria and across the world.
“’Work his ass off for money’. Wetin do your own ass? You don’t want to work? In this economy?” she asked in a post that has since gone viral.
Jemima, known for her roles in top Nollywood films and TV series, didn’t stop there. She reminded her female followers that there are not enough billionaires in the world for every woman to become a housewife.
“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,” she added.
The actress’s post quickly attracted thousands of reactions online. While some praised her for speaking the truth, others accused her of being harsh or out of touch with societal realities, where many women are taught to “marry up” as a form of financial security.
Still, a large portion of social media users supported Jemima’s message. Many agreed that depending solely on a man’s wealth in today’s economy is risky and outdated. Others said women should focus on building their own careers and becoming financially independent before seeking relationships.
“She said the truth,” a user replied. “A lot of ladies just want to be taken care of without bringing anything to the table. It’s not sustainable.”
Another user, however, disagreed.
“But if a man wants to take care of his woman, what’s wrong with that?” she wrote. “Not everyone wants to hustle.”
Jemima Osunde’s comments reflect growing concerns among Nigerians about the cost of living, youth unemployment, and the rising pressure on relationships due to financial expectations. In today’s Nigeria, both men and women are struggling to meet basic needs, with food prices, rent, and fuel costs all at record highs.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s unemployment rate among young people remains high, with many youths turning to entrepreneurship, remote work, and informal jobs to survive.
In this kind of economy, Jemima’s advice to women to “go and look for work” is being seen by some as tough love, rather than judgment. Her call is in line with the push for more women to enter the workforce, learn skills, and become self-sufficient.
Jemima Osunde is one of the most respected young actresses in Nollywood today. Beyond her acting career, she is also a trained physiotherapist and has always promoted education and hard work.
She gained national fame for her roles in popular TV shows like Shuga Naija and films such as Lionheart and The Delivery Boy. Over the years, Jemima has used her platform to speak on important social issues, including gender roles, youth empowerment, and career development.
Her recent post fits into her long-standing belief that women should not limit themselves by waiting for a man to change their lives.
In Nigeria, gender roles have traditionally placed men as providers and women as homemakers. However, with changing times and economic realities, those roles are shifting. Many households now rely on dual incomes, and women are breaking barriers in politics, business, tech, and the creative industry.
Still, some cultural pressures continue to make many young women believe that marrying a wealthy man is the only path to success. Jemima Osunde’s message challenges that idea, urging women to see value in their own efforts and not just in what a man can provide.
