High Stakes life: Nigeria’s socialites, lifestyle of scandal

In Nigeria’s bustling power corridors—from Lagos’s glitzy shores to Abuja’s stately avenues—success isn’t measured solely by wealth or influence. It’s also defined by the whispers in upscale lounges and the headline-grabbing rumors that circulate among the social elite.

Stories abound of powerful men using their clout to secure lavish lifestyles: booking five-star hotels every quarter, gifting luxury cars, or even handing over prime real estate in exclusive neighborhoods. Yet amid these tales of excess, there is a deeper narrative about power, influence, and the price of reputation.

Take music superstar Burna Boy, whose promise of a Lamborghini to a well-known underground figure made headlines when he failed to deliver. That broken promise quickly became a symbol of a broader phenomenon where influential men—from figures like Bola Tinubu, who has been rumored to use his wealth for extravagant real estate gestures, to Atiku Abubakar, whose alleged penchant for lavish gifting is as controversial as it is talked about—seem to measure loyalty in material terms rather than genuine partnership. Even internationally, the echoes of such behavior are clear.

Bill Clinton’s tenure at the White House remains marred by accounts of using expensive perks and gifts to secure favors, a reminder that the interplay of power and personal relationships isn’t unique to Nigeria.

Yet while these controversies captivate the media, they also reinforce a dangerous myth—that women can only succeed if they’re “pimped” by powerful men. This notion is upended by the inspiring journeys of trailblazing Nigerian women who have built their careers from the ground up. Ibukun Awosika, for instance, rose from humble beginnings to become the first female Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, building her success on sheer hard work and determination.

Folorunsho Alakija transformed modest means into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, challenging traditional norms with her entrepreneurial spirit. And Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s ascent from Nigeria to becoming a global economic leader underscores the truth that lasting success is forged through independent achievement.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day—just passed—we must encourage all women with legitimate sources of income not to be swayed by the glittering yet fleeting allure of pimped-up success. In a world rife with rumors and excess, the real triumph lies in carving out one’s own path, creating lasting value, and defining success on one’s own terms. True power, after all, comes from independence and integrity, not from the temporary high of lavish, unkept promises