Nigerians have always been promiscuous. And while the millennial generation of Nigerians will argue that we are having more sex than our parents ever even dreamed of, the most casual investigation will prove otherwise. But we are right about one thing, we really are unwilling/unable to move past casual sex into proper, committed long term relationships.

There are many reasons why; and technology is a primary culprit. The internet has laid the world bare before us, allowing us to pursue the most esoteric of interests. There is nothing that is truly denied us if ee have a robust enough bank account and an internet connection. We take it for granted because we are the generation that was born with the almost science-fictiony advancements in technology, but before the internet made the world our dating pool, the generation before was physically constrained by geography when finding love.

Our eccentric tastes combined with the false illusion of choice, has left up paralyzed. We are more invested in any generation before us in ‘true love’ and the perfect partner because there is always someone else with better posed pictures or a funnier profile, obsessed with 90’s Mandarin comics like you are waiting to start a conversation with you. The proliferation of dating apps have made it even easier.

At least with social media, we are forced to get to know the object of our interests. Sure social media presents a comprehensive but often false portfolio of the other personality and interests, saving us the stress of having to actually get to know them, but at least sex isnt the first thing that is offered. With dating apps, sex is implied even before the first words are exchanged. Sexual compatibility is the first objective instead of an enf goal.

We have little inclination or incentive to stick it out in a relationship that is comfortable but unexciting so we keep our options open and keep swiping left.

Editor