Reality TV star and media personality, Tacha Akide, has publicly supported a woman who called out a man for failing to pay for her food after collecting her phone number at a restaurant.

The controversy began after a video went viral showing a woman criticising a man who approached her, asked for her number, but declined to cover her meal. The incident sparked heated debates online, with opinions sharply divided.

Reacting to the situation in a video shared on social media, Tacha defended the woman’s stance, arguing that men should be prepared to impress when attempting to initiate romantic interest.

According to Tacha, the fact that the woman could afford her own meal was irrelevant. She maintained that if a man chooses to approach a woman in such a setting, he should be able to pay for both meals as a basic gesture of interest.

She criticised what she described as a growing culture of “wokeness,” where men avoid traditional gestures such as paying a lady’s bill, insisting that such behaviour undermines natural dynamics between men and women.

“You see this girl right here? I stand with her ten toes,” Tacha said. “As a man, you need to be able to impress. If you’re not going to impress, keep your distance. If you approach a woman, ask for her number, you should at least be able to pay for her food.”

Tacha further argued that gestures of effort are universal, drawing comparisons from nature to reinforce her point.

“Even animals impress,” she said. “Go and watch National Geographic. Birds bring food, they perform, they dance. If she’s not impressed, she flies away. If birds understand this, how can humans not?”

She concluded by warning men against gaslighting women for expecting effort, stating that women should not be shamed for desiring to be courted.

“If you don’t intend to spend money or make an effort, don’t approach anyone,” she added. “Don’t try to change women for wanting what comes naturally.”

The debate continues to trend online, reigniting conversations around dating expectations, gender roles, and modern relationships in Nigeria.