Nollywood actor Jide Awobona has revealed why he does not subscribe to the idea of celebrating love exclusively on Valentine’s Day, recalling a university-era date that ended in a heated argument.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, the actor described himself as “not really a Valentine’s person,” stressing that love should be expressed daily rather than reserved for February 14.
Valentine’s Day Date That Turned Sour
Sharing details of the unpleasant experience, Awobona recounted how a romantic outing with his then-girlfriend was overshadowed by a lengthy phone call with a family member.
According to him, what was meant to be a special Valentine’s Day celebration quickly deteriorated.
“We went out one day and it ended horribly because throughout the day, I was on a call with one of my family members for hours. We actually went out to a restaurant to have a nice time, but at the end of the day, we fought and argued. It was not a good day.”
Despite the incident, the actor clarified that the experience did not fundamentally change his views on love and relationships.
“Every Day Is Valentine’s Day for Me”
The Nollywood star emphasised that he does not believe love should be confined to one designated day.
“I don’t want to have a special day before I can show love. Every day is like Valentine’s Day for me. It depends on the vibe and the mood. I show love every day.”
Awobona explained that for him, love extends beyond romantic partnerships and should be shown to friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers.
“You need to learn to show love to everybody—friends, family, people you don’t know, people you know. Love supersedes intimacy or someone you’re dating.”
Work Over Valentine’s Pressure
Addressing why he does not actively celebrate Valentine’s Day, the actor noted that his career in the entertainment industry often takes precedence.
“As I’m speaking with you, I’m at work. If it’s not Valentine’s Day, I’ll still be at work entertaining people. That’s what I do.”
He added that placing excessive expectations on Valentine’s Day can create unnecessary pressure in relationships.
For this year’s celebration, Awobona said he would express love through his craft rather than focus on one individual.
“How I’m spending my Valentine’s Day is to show love to other people by blessing them with my craft and talent.”
Can Love Survive Without Money?
On the topic of relationships and financial stability, Awobona maintained that genuine love should not be built strictly on material expectations.
“It’s always a two-way thing. I give, you give. When I have, I give. When I don’t have…”
He warned against what he described as a growing trend among some young people—particularly within Gen Z circles—who prioritise material benefits over emotional connection.
“A lot of them feel like, ‘If my boyfriend cannot do this for me, we can’t be together.’ That means you rate material things over how you feel for the person.”
On-Screen Chemistry vs Real-Life Romance
Beyond romantic ideals, Awobona also addressed common misconceptions about actors’ relationships. He noted that audiences often mistake convincing on-screen chemistry for real-life romance.
“There are some actors I’ve acted love scenes with that I don’t even know. People will say, ‘You can’t tell me you’re not dating.’ But that’s my job. I’m supposed to make it look real.”
