When Poverty Makes Financial Provision Feel Like Love

It is hard to discuss love in Nigeria and across Africa without discussing money. Where food, rent, transport and medical bills are constant worries, financial support can feel like proof of care rather than just a practical contribution. A partner who pays bills, sends transport money, buys food and handles emergencies may be seen as loving because those actions meet urgent needs. This does not mean women are automatically materialistic or that men should carry every financial burden in a relationship. Poverty can blur the line between affection and survival. People may value attraction, loyalty, peace and companionship, but financial security often becomes a major factor when they are thinking about their own future and that of their children. The difficult question is whether a relationship can remain strong when provision is no longer possible. Does financial support express love, or has economic hardship made it a condition for love?

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