Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has sparked conversations online after speaking about parenting styles and relationship expectations in Nigeria.

During a recent discussion on relationships and societal pressure, he argued that many parents discourage or even “cr!minalize” harmless teenage dating experiences while children are growing up.

According to him, young people are often not allowed to express emotions freely, write love letters, or go on innocent outings with people they like, which he believes affects how they later handle relationships in adulthood.

He further suggested that this strict approach to dating may contribute to emotional immaturity in relationships and could be one of the factors influencing rising cases of breakups and divorce in Nigeria.

His comments have since generated mixed reactions online. While some social media users agreed with his perspective on emotional development, others argued that strict parenting helps protect young people from early exposure to unhealthy influences and distractions.

“We cr!minalize the dating culture in Nigeria and now we’re wondering why marriages are breaking,” he stated.

“Most parents, you no wan hear your pikin get boyfriend but when they reach a certain age, you’ll be asking them bring husband. Why have you not brought husband? Where dey wan see husband from?” Bovi said.

“You didn’t go to cinema to see movie with the babe harmlessly. You didn’t stroll or take walks, or write letters because if they see love letter that time we were in secondary school it will be like the whole world was stopping,” he added