If you made it to the end of 2025, chances are you’re one of two people: the one who finally found their person, or the one trying to gather the strength to try again in 2026. Either way, it’s not just you. Love has a way of putting people through the wringer, and every year comes with its own lessons.
To make sense of it all, we spoke to Nigerians about how their love lives actually played out this year. Not the highlights people post online, but the real experiences behind the scenes: the dates that didn’t lead anywhere, the situationships that lingered too long, the relationships that brought peace, and the ones that fell apart.
What we got was a mix of joy, frustration, clarity, and exhaustion. These 15 Nigerians reflected on their 2025 love stories and shared what the year taught them about dating, commitment, and knowing when to stay or move on.
When you’re done reading, you can also look back on your own year. We’ve created a short quiz at the end that helps you make sense of what your 2025 love life really looked like.
“I stopped dating to focus on money” — Seyi, 32
At the beginning of the year, I made a very deliberate decision about dating: I wasn’t going to spend serious money on it. I’d had enough of high-effort dates that gulped my money only for things to fizzle out after two weeks. I told myself that if a date couldn’t happen without me stretching my budget, then it probably wasn’t worth it. I think that mindset limited my dating experience this year.
I went on three dates between January and April. One was with a woman I met through a mutual friend. We had drinks, talked about work, and realised very quickly that we wanted different things. Another was someone I matched with online. We met for lunch, and the conversation stayed surface-level the entire time. The last date initially felt promising, but once I realised I was the only one making plans and following up, I stopped trying. None of them turned into anything close to serious, and after the third one, I didn’t bother again.
Then I lost my remote job. It was a high-paying role, and losing it hit harder than I expected. I stopped moving around as much, stopped saying yes to outings, and started watching my spending closely. Dating completely fell off my radar. I didn’t feel sad about it; it just didn’t feel responsible to think about romance when I was trying to stabilise my finances. In a strange way, I was relieved that I didn’t have to worry about spending money on someone else while figuring my own life out.
The only thing I genuinely missed this year was sex. I tried to exercise discipline, but I won’t pretend I was perfect. When the urge became too much, I helped myself. Other times, I reached out to old flames who didn’t need much impressing. Two of them were open to meeting, and we hooked up a couple of times with no strings attached.
Right now, my love life feels nonexistent. I’m not chasing anyone, and no one is chasing me. I don’t know what next year will bring, and I’m fine with that. For now, my focus is getting my finances back on track. Once I feel stable again, I’ll think about dating properly. Until then, love can wait.
“2025 taught me not to put all my eggs in one basket” — Nimi, 25*
I spent most of 2025 in a situationship that didn’t benefit me at all. We met late last year and slipped into something romantic early this year. I hoped it would turn into a proper relationship, but it never did. He kept insisting that what we had was fine, even though it clearly wasn’t what I wanted. Without my consent, it became a friends-with-benefits situation, and I stayed longer than I should have because I kept hoping he’d eventually come around.
What finally pushed me to leave was realising that he lacked empathy. I lost my mum a few months ago, and that loss changed everything for me. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, and he wasn’t there for me in any meaningful way. That was when I accepted that he didn’t genuinely care about me.
Losing my mum made me realise how short life is. Life is too short to spend on people who don’t care, so I ended things. It hasn’t been long, and I’m still adjusting, but I’m hopeful the future will be better.
Looking back, he wasn’t a caring person at all. We only went out once, and even in the early stages, everything revolved around him. I spent endless hours talking to him and making time for him, but I didn’t get that same energy in return.
“It’s been a dreamy year” — Halima* 27
This was the year I got cuffed. I got engaged this year, and I feel genuinely happy.
We’ve known each other for a while, but we became more intentional this year. We officially started dating, and from the beginning, the effort was evident. We went on dates almost every month, and each one had its own theme.
With him, I don’t feel alone. He’s intentional, and he knows me just as much as I know him. Being with him feels easy and reassuring. We’ve gone on more than 11 dates this year. If I had to count official ones, I’d say 11 out of 12, and December isn’t even over yet.
He pays for our dates, and he always replies to my texts. Consistency has never been a question. If I had to describe my 2025 in one word, it would be bliss. It’s been wonderful.
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“I’ve sort of given up on finding love” — Bimpe*, 29*, F
In February, I started seeing a former good friend casually, but adding sex to our friendship completely ruined it. Each time we met to hook up, he became cold afterwards. I felt like he thought I was trying to trick him into a committed relationship through intimacy. His constant hot-and-cold behaviour drained me, so I cut him off.
In May, I met a fantastic guy at a bar. We both stepped outside to smoke, and he offered to help me light up. The attraction hit immediately. We exchanged contacts and started talking every day. He ticked all my boxes — tall, rich, and dreadlocked. My issue with him was timing. He wanted to get married at the beginning of next year, and I didn’t want to rush into marriage. We made out a few times, but things fizzled out by July.
Since then, I’ve hopped in and out of talking stages. I met two people on dating apps and another at a restaurant. All I can say is that there’s nothing in the streets. I ghosted the restaurant guy when he told me he was going through a divorce. I didn’t believe him. Lagos married men stay married until I see divorce papers, please.
Right now, I’m on my own. I’m trying to get a new job and increase my income. I don’t have time for Lagos men and their confusion, at least not for now.
“Finding love is hard right now” — Chidi*, 28, M
I haven’t been in a relationship since 2021. Back then, I saw myself as a playboy and stuck to casual flings. I avoided anything serious.
As more of my friends started settling down, getting married, and building families, I began yearning for my own person. I decided to spend this year searching for her, but the shege I saw still has me shaking.
I tried to stay upfront about wanting something serious with the women I met, but things kept going wrong. Just like last year, I moved from one situationship to another.
In March, I entered a talking stage with a babe I met, but it only lasted two weeks. She came over to my place and tried to get me to dash her an expensive pair of sunglasses I had just bought. I said no. After she left, she never replied to my messages again.
I can’t count how many times this year I met someone at a party, felt the vibe, exchanged socials, and sent a message; only for her to never respond. If you’ve found love, please stay there. There’s nothing outside.
“I thought I’d be married by 30” — Ibukun*, 32
I always believed I’d be married by 30; that was the timeline I imagined for myself. Now I’m here at 32, still single, still meeting men, and still having the same conversations that don’t lead anywhere. Most of the men I meet aren’t bad people; they’re just not ready for marriage, and that’s a hard thing to keep accepting year after year.
For most of 2025, I stayed on my own. I didn’t date or entertain talking stages. Instead, I leaned heavily into my faith. I spent a lot of time praying, journaling, and asking God questions about my life.
Around August, I decided to try dating again. I met a man on Instagram, and from the start, he seemed like everything I’d been praying for. He was kind, financially stable, emotionally present, and clear about wanting something serious. We went on several dates and had lots of fun. Still, I couldn’t shake a feeling that he was holding something back. I tried to ignore it because everything looked right, but a voice in my head kept telling me to be patient.
In September, he finally told me that he had a child. He explained the situation carefully and said he wanted to be honest because he saw potential in me. I appreciated his honesty, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t continue. I’m not ready to step into motherhood, especially not as a stepmother. After that conversation, I checked out emotionally.
I’ve been alone again since then. Some days are harder than others, especially when I think about how much I still want marriage. But I’m choosing to believe that 2026 will be kinder to me.
“I kept sleeping with my ex because it just felt easy” — Ibrahim*, 30
My ex and I broke up in 2024, but we never really stopped talking to each other. Anytime talking to someone new felt stressful, I went back to him, especially for the sex.
I went on dates with some people this year, but once conversations started turning serious, I lost interest. After those dates, I often texted my ex and asked if I could come over. We’d have sex and barely talk about anything else.
If I’m being honest, I spent more time with him than anyone else this year. I know it’s not ideal, but I also think it’s better than ending up in a situation where someone new breaks my heart. He’s also not seeing anyone, so I know he needs me right now as much as I need him.
We’re both ending the year single and open to whatever the near future holds.
“I was searching all through the year” — Mike* 32
This year has been a rollercoaster for me. I ended a three-year relationship after we took a hard look at our future and realised we weren’t a good match. Our families didn’t align on some important things, and it became clear that love alone wasn’t enough to sustain us. After that, I was eager to move on and start dating again.
I went on at least six dates this year, but I only went on a second date twice. I don’t believe in dating apps, so mutual connections introduced me to most of the people I met. Even with that, dating hasn’t been easy. I haven’t met anyone who truly aligns with me.
One woman seemed promising, but she told me she didn’t want kids and didn’t believe in God. Those are fundamental values for me, so I ended things.
I’ll admit that I reached out to my ex a few times. A part of me wondered if we’d made a mistake, especially since I hadn’t met anyone who felt right. Still, I know why we broke up. I remain hopeful and continue searching.
“I protected my heart this year” — Charity*, 23
This year, I became very careful about who I commit to because commitment means a lot to me. As a result, I went on zero dates. My love life is non-existent.
I met a few people, but red flags always showed up. I met someone at an event and hoped things would be different. We vibed immediately and talked all night. However, when we returned for the event the next day, she was already talking to someone else. That hurt more than I expected.
Since then, I’ve stayed skeptical. My last relationship scarred and drained me emotionally. My ex manipulated me, and that experience made me extremely cautious about getting close to anyone again.
“My love life suddenly became uncertain” — Ishaya* 25
This year challenged me emotionally. My girlfriend left the country after we had been together for almost five years. She was my sweetheart, and losing the physical closeness so suddenly was hard to accept.
She got an opportunity abroad and left around June. Even now, it still feels unreal. We both feared what the future would hold because neither of us was sure we could hold on in the long term. My business ties me to Nigeria, while she has her own dreams she needs to pursue.
I’ve tried to stay hopeful, but it hasn’t been easy. I went on a date once and met someone genuinely kind, but I felt deeply guilty the entire time. It didn’t work out because I wasn’t emotionally free, and she could tell. I felt like I was doing something wrong by trying to move forward.
I’m still with my girlfriend, and I’m holding on to the hope that next year will bring clarity about where we’re headed. It’s really been an uncertain year for me.
“I’m trying to give love a chance again” — Bolanle*, 44
I lost my husband in 2019, and for years after that, I completely shut myself off from love. Any time a man showed interest, I turned him down. I told myself my children were my priority and that dating or marrying again would feel like betraying the man I once promised my life to. I didn’t even consider dating an option.
Then, sometime last year, a man I once loved deeply and almost married reappeared in my life. Life had taken us in different directions back then. He got married, his wife later left, and he’s been single for a few years. When he reached out again, I didn’t think much of it. But he stayed consistent. He checked in on me, supported me, and showed genuine care for my children without trying to impress anyone.
This year, things slowly changed between us. He never rushed me or pushed for anything. He made his intentions clear, but he moved at my pace. We started spending time together and I can’t deny that it felt nice to have someone dote on me again.
We’re seeing each other now, and while it’s still early, it feels good to know I’m not alone. I don’t feel pressured or afraid; I feel supported. After everything I’ve been through, that alone feels like a blessing.
“I enjoyed my hoe phase this year” — Jaffar*, 25
I started the year knowing I didn’t want anything serious. I tried dating last year, but it felt suffocating. And maybe the guy was just a douchebag. Anyway, I got really active on dating apps this year. I’ve always had the apps but stayed away because of “kito” stories. One day, I said fuck it and met a guy on my street. There was no going back after that.
Most of my meet-ups were straightforward. We’d talk for a bit, agree on what we wanted, meet, and go our separate ways. Some turned into repeat encounters, but if I started feeling too attached, I stepped back.
It may seem wild, but I appreciate that I’m experiencing this phase on my terms. Not because I’m spiralling because of a heartbreak or anything like that. I just want to have fun. I don’t know if next year will be about finding love, but 2025 owes me nothing for real.
“I can’t find someone who shares my lifestyle” — Samuel, 37, M
Dating this year has been hard. I’m agnostic, and I’m upfront about it. As soon as I tell the women I’m seeing, they end things. I’m ending the year just as single as I started it.
My first date happened in February. She’s a nurse, and a mutual friend introduced us. We hit it off immediately. At first, she didn’t seem bothered by my lack of religion, but by March, when I started talking about making things official, she told me she couldn’t be “unequally yoked” according to her faith.
That one hurt because I genuinely liked her. Even now, I still text her occasionally to check in. Recently, she told me she had started seeing someone else. I feel happy for her; I just wish I could find someone who shares my beliefs too.
I’ve tried dating other people since then, but I keep running into the same issues. Either my lack of religion becomes a problem, or they waste my time. It’s emotionally exhausting, but I haven’t given up. I still believe my person is out there.
“I got back with my ex for the third time” — Kenny* 24
This year has been a roller coaster; I still feel like I haven’t fully broken free from my ex.
This is the third time we’ve gotten back together. Distance caused our first breakup, and during that break, she dated someone else. When we got back together, I couldn’t process or forgive that, and it eventually led to another breakup, even though I still felt emotionally tied to her.
I drunk-texted her around March, and that’s how we ended up together for the third time. Since then, we’ve tried to apply the lessons from our past mistakes. I’ve been open to the process, but the relationship still moves in cycles of highs and lows because I don’t know if we truly work best together.
I hope we do, people around me are watching to see how it ends. I’m hoping that the love and care we have for each other will be enough to make things work, even with the distance between us.
“I finally followed through” — Thompson*, 41
I’d been engaged twice before this year, and both times, things crashed for reasons I’m not comfortable getting into. After the second one ended, I stopped telling people about my romantic life. It felt embarrassing to keep explaining why things never worked out. By the end of 2024, I was tired of starting over, but realised I was even more tired of being alone.
I met my wife at a friend’s birthday dinner in January. We exchanged numbers that night and went on a date a week later. I remember feeling uneasy on our first few dates because there was nothing dramatic about us. We mostly talked about work, family responsibilities, and why our previous relationships failed. When she asked why my last engagement ended, I came clean and told her the truth.
We dated consistently for six months, and we had a good run. We got married quietly in November, and I’m really still taking it all in. In a way, I feel like I’ve finally ticked an important milestone.
Take our 2025 Love Life Wrapped quiz to see what your dating story says about you.
