Popular Nigerian media personality Frank Edoho has ignited controversy in relationship circles after asserting that most women are not genuinely attracted to exceptionally kind men, preferring instead the allure of “bad boys” who occasionally display kindness.
The former “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” host made these provocative comments during a recent appearance on TVC’s talk show “The Black Table,” where he shared observations about female dating preferences that have since sparked heated debates across social media platforms.
“There was an article I saw on a blog that intrigued me. The topic was, ‘What is that red flag that you admire in the opposite sex?'” Edoho began, setting the stage for his controversial perspective. The question was channelled to women. Although, I am of the school of thought that men shouldn’t be nice all the time, the answers I got further my resolve that men should not even be nice at all.
Edoho proceeded to cite specific examples from women’s responses that he found particularly revealing about their preferences. “Women were answering, do you know what I saw? There was one I saw that says, ‘I like it when my man tells me, ‘I don’t want to repeat myself again’.’ She said it turns her on,” he recounted.
Others said that they like it when their man wax them, not extremely but shows power, it turns them on,” Edoho continued, suggesting these responses indicate a female preference for assertive, dominant personalities rather than consistently accommodating partners.
The veteran TV presenter concluded his thoughts with a sweeping statement: “There are some strange things going on in the minds of these women that you are trying to be nice to. I am not saying all of them are like that but majority of women don’t like nice guys. They want bad guys that are nice to them sometimes.”
Relationship psychologist Dr. Amina Bello offers a more nuanced perspective on Edoho’s claims. “What’s often happening in these dynamics isn’t necessarily a preference for ‘bad’ qualities, but rather an attraction to confidence, decisiveness, and authenticity. Many women are drawn to partners who demonstrate emotional strength and clear boundaries, which can sometimes be misinterpreted as ‘bad boy’ behavior,” she explains.
The ‘nice guy’ stereotype often represents someone who may be performatively kind without genuine confidence or boundaries. This isn’t authentic kindness but people-pleasing behavior, which many find unattractive regardless of gender,” adds Dr. Bello.
Social media reactions to Edoho’s comments have been predictably divided along experiential lines. Some men have embraced his perspective as validation of their dating frustrations, while many women have pushed back against what they see as an oversimplification of complex romantic preferences.
This bad boy narrative is tired and reductive,” commented Twitter user @NigerianFeminist. Most women want partners who are kind AND confident, respectful AND assertive. It’s not either/or.”
Another user, @LagosMatchmaker, offered: “What Frank is partially identifying is that women don’t want doormats. Kindness without backbone isn’t attractive to anyone. But that doesn’t mean women want partners who treat them poorly.”
Cultural commentator Jide Taiwo suggests that Edoho’s comments reflect broader societal tensions around evolving gender roles. “These conversations often emerge during periods of cultural shift. As traditional notions of masculinity are being reexamined, there’s anxiety about what women truly value in partners. Comments like Edoho’s simplify complex human dynamics into digestible soundbites that unfortunately reinforce problematic stereotypes.”
Edoho, who gained nationwide fame hosting “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” for over a decade before becoming the host of “The Price is Right Nigeria,” has established himself as a cultural commentator known for provocative takes on social issues. His position as a respected media figure amplifies the impact of such statements.
Relationship coach Funmi Akinyemi suggests that the conversation reveals more about lingering misconceptions than actual female preferences. “These discussions often confuse kindness with weakness or lack of boundaries. True kindness comes from a position of strength and genuine care, not from insecurity or manipulation. Most healthy women are attracted to authentic kindness paired with self-respect and confidence.
The “nice guy versus bad boy” dichotomy has been a persistent theme in relationship discourse across cultures. Evolutionary psychologists have suggested that certain assertive traits may signal genetic fitness and protective capabilities, while social scientists point to cultural conditioning that romanticizes problematic behavior in media representations of relationships.
“What’s often overlooked in these conversations is that women aren’t a monolith,” notes cultural anthropologist Dr. Foluke Adebayo. Dating preferences are influenced by countless factors including personal history, cultural background, individual personality, and specific life circumstances. Making broad generalizations about what ‘most women’ want fundamentally misunderstands the diversity of human desire.”
Some observers have noted that Edoho’s comments, while controversial, have succeeded in sparking necessary conversations about romantic expectations, communication styles, and the complex interplay between kindness and assertiveness in relationships.
The real issue isn’t about being ‘bad’ versus ‘nice,'” explains relationship therapist Chidi Okonkwo. “It’s about authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to be both compassionate and self-respecting. Partners who can navigate this balance—being kind without being submissive, assertive without being controlling—are generally attractive regardless of gender.”
As the debate continues across Nigerian social media, Edoho’s comments have undoubtedly touched a nerve in ongoing conversations about modern dating dynamics. Whether his observations reflect genuine insight or perpetuate problematic stereotypes remains a matter of heated discussion among relationship experts and ordinary Nigerians alike.
What emerges clearly from the resulting dialogue is that simplistic categorizations of complex human attraction seldom capture the multifaceted nature of what draws people together—and that provocative statements about “what women want” will likely continue to generate passionate discourse for the foreseeable future.
