I Couldn’t Ask a Woman Out Without Having Money – Femi Dapson
Femi Dapson, the acclaimed videographer and executive producer widely known as Uncle Dapson, has stirred debate after speaking openly about how financial security shaped his approach to dating and, ultimately, marriage.
Appearing at The Love and Money Conversation, a public discussion hosted by Meristem Nigeria, Mr. Dapson sat alongside his wife, Simi Sanya, and described a period in his life when he deliberately avoided romantic pursuits until he felt economically stable.
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He explained that while affection mattered, money provided the confidence he believed was necessary to approach a partner and to sustain a relationship. By his account, his first encounter with Ms. Sanya came at a time when his finances were uncertain and his professional footing still forming.
It was only later, after his career had begun to yield steady income and recognition, that he felt prepared to pursue her seriously. Their relationship eventually took root after a chance meeting at a wedding in Akure, when his circumstances had materially improved.
“Love is sweet, but it’s sweeter when there’s money. I knew I couldn’t ask a girl out, without having money”- Videographer Femi Dapson.
pic.twitter.com/8oEdPcqORY— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 15, 2026
Mr. Dapson’s remarks resonated because of who he is and what he represents in contemporary Nigerian culture. As the founder of Nouvelle Films, he has helped define the visual language of Afrobeats, directing and producing music videos that dominate television and digital platforms.
His portfolio includes work for some of the genre’s most visible stars, among them Rema, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel, and Ayra Starr, with videos that have collectively drawn hundreds of millions of views worldwide.
The comments gained wider traction after circulating on social media pages such as Instablog9ja, prompting a familiar national debate. Supporters argued that his position reflected economic realities in urban Nigeria, where inflation, unemployment, and social expectations often make financial preparedness a practical consideration in dating.
For them, Mr. Dapson’s candor offered an honest acknowledgment of the stresses many young men face as they navigate relationships alongside career uncertainty.
Critics, however, pushed back against the framing, warning that tying romance too closely to income risks reducing relationships to transactions. They argued that emotional compatibility, shared values, and mutual respect remain central to long-term partnerships, regardless of financial status.
