By Emeka Blast 
Onyi Alex: A Broke Man Has No Business Saying He Loves Me
Nollywood actress Onyi Alex has once again sparked heated debate after reposting her 2021 Instagram statement on August 20, 2025, declaring, “It’s a sin for a broke man to say he loves me,” during a live session with fans. The provocative remark, originally shared four years ago, resurfaced amid discussions about relationships and financial stability in Nigeria’s economic climate, drawing both support and backlash across social media platforms.
In her repost on Instagram Stories, Alex, 38, reiterated her stance: “It’s a sin for a broke man to say he is in love with me. Like how? I hustle because I don’t wanna be broke. It’s okay to just trip from a distance! The goal is two hustles, not a hustle and a leech.” The actress, known for roles in films like 3Some and April, emphasized her commitment to financial independence, adding, “I’m still about that two-hustle life in 2025. No leeches, please!” The statement echoed her 2021 post, which had labeled broke men as “leeches” unfit to pursue her romantically.
The comment, made during a live session celebrating the success of her latest movie, Sweet Game (released June 2025), quickly went viral, amassing over 500,000 views on Instagram and sparking a firestorm on X. Supporters like @NaijaGist tweeted, “Onyi Alex spitting facts! Why should a hustler like her settle for less? #TwoHustles,” while @LagosBabe wrote, “She’s right—love doesn’t pay bills in this economy!” Critics, however, were scathing, with @TruthSeekerNG posting, “Onyi’s shaming broke men while ignoring broke women chasing rich guys. Double standards much? #Hypocrisy.”
The controversy reignites a 2021 debate when Alex’s original statement drew mixed reactions, including a response from actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, who argued that women could uplift “broke men with prospects” to build empires, as reported by Within Nigeria. This time, the timing of Alex’s repost—amid Nigeria’s 34.6% inflation rate and economic hardship—has amplified the discourse. Relationship expert Dr. Tunde Adebayo told Vanguard News, “Her comment reflects the financial pressures many face, but it risks alienating those who value love over wealth.”
Alex, a single mother who recently acquired a multimillion-naira mansion in Lagos, has long advocated for women’s financial independence. In a 2020 Sun Nigeria interview, she described herself as a “Mushin girl” who rose through hard work, fueling her stance against partnering with financially unstable men. However, her critics point to past controversies, including a 2013 Gistmania report alleging she “snatched” a wealthy lover from actress Tonto Dikeh, as evidence of her focus on affluent partners.
The actress has not directly addressed the backlash but posted a cryptic follow-up: “Know your worth, ladies. Hustle hard and choose wisely.” The debate has drawn parallels to recent comments by celebrities like Tiwa Savage, who emphasized self-reliance, and reflects broader societal tensions about money and relationships in Nigeria.
