In the past couple of years, Nigerian men have become hot in the global dating market, especially among foreign women who go on and on about finding their ‘Nigerian prince’ like they’ve been jazzed.

Scroll through social media and you’ll see women sharing tips on how to keep a Nigerian man, others proudly wearing aso-ebi or learning Igbo for their partner. Say what you want about Nigerian men, but dating them has become… a thing.

What’s the catch?

Nigerians are everywhere, and they tend to stand out. According to Financial Times, Nigerian men rank among the most ambitious and highly educated migrant groups in the United States, which counts for a lot in an increasingly competitive dating scene.

The ‘Odogwu’ mentality

Nigerian men have built a reputation as ‘providers and protectors’, and because they like to show off, they don’t do it quietly. Early on in relationships, it’s common for them to come in strong with grand gestures and big promises that sweep women off their feet.

Because Nigerian culture leans heavily towards family values, they’re not shy about committing or stepping into the role of “husband” early on (even when they might already have a whole family back home).

For women coming from more individualistic dating cultures, that kind of attention can feel refreshing.

Add the widely held but unverified belief that Nigerian men are exceptionally good in bed, and it’s safe to say that Nigerian men just have very good PR.

There’s also a pop-culture effect

The reputation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Nigerian culture itself has been gaining global attention, and it’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting. From Afrobeats to Nollywood to fashion, the country has become impossible to ignore on the global stage.

Nigerians wear their culture loudly, through bold style, extravagant weddings and an overall sense of spectacle the world has clearly bought into.

At some point, the appeal of the Nigerian man stopped being just about the man, but a part of a seductive package.

Even TV has played a role. Shows like The Real Housewives of Atlanta have helped frame Nigerian men as desirable, with cast members casually referencing their “African kings” and showing off the lifestyle that comes with them.

Do it for the plot?

Nigerian men are apparently great for character development. So, for anyone who likes the whwirlwind romance and the drama, it’s a no-brainer, no?