Damilola Adegbite Says Younger Men Are Increasingly Pursuing Older Women

Nollywood actress Damilola Adegbite has sparked conversation after saying younger men are becoming more open and confident about pursuing older women.

The actress made the observation during a recent episode of her podcast, where she discussed changing views around women, age, dating and romantic relationships.

According to Adegbite, women were previously made to feel that their chances in the dating scene reduced once they reached a certain age. However, she believes that mindset is gradually changing.

‘The Tables Are Turning’

Adegbite said society once gave younger women more attention while older women were often treated as though they should quietly step away from the dating market.

“When society made older women feel like once we have crossed a certain age, you should basically leave the dating market quietly. Meanwhile, the younger girls were supposedly getting all the attention. But now, the tables are turning,” she said.

The 41-year-old actress used a humorous biblical reference from Psalm 118:22—the verse about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone—to describe what she sees as a shift in the dating experience of older women.

“Maybe we should just say the older woman who was once overlooked has become the premium package,” Adegbite said.

Her comment appeared to challenge the belief that a woman’s desirability automatically declines as she enters her late 30s or 40s.

Younger Men Showing More Confidence

Adegbite said one of the notable parts of the trend is the boldness some younger men now display when expressing interest in women older than them.

She gave the example of a younger man meeting a woman aged 38, 40 or 42 and openly stating that he wants a relationship with her.

According to the actress, an older woman may initially question whether the younger man is serious. But she said some men now make their intentions clear and pursue older women confidently.

“And I think that confidence is attractive,” she said.

Adegbite’s comments suggest that personality, emotional maturity, self-confidence and compatibility may be carrying more weight than traditional expectations about age differences.

Changing Dating Expectations

In many Nigerian communities, relationships in which the man is older than the woman have historically received wider social acceptance.

By contrast, relationships involving younger men and older women have often been criticised, questioned or treated as unusual.

Adegbite’s observation reflects a broader discussion about whether those expectations are changing, especially among younger adults who may place more importance on shared values, personal connection and individual choice.

However, her comments should be understood as a personal observation, not proof that younger Nigerian men generally prefer older women.

Dating preferences differ from person to person and may also be influenced by:

• Emotional maturity and compatibility
• Financial stability and lifestyle
• Physical attraction
• Shared goals and values
• Social status and family expectations
• Personal confidence

Social Media Reactions

The actress’s comments have generated mixed reactions online.

Some social media users agreed, arguing that younger men are becoming more comfortable with dating older women and that age should not be the only factor used to judge compatibility.

Others questioned whether the trend is as widespread as Adegbite suggested, noting that traditional attitudes around age and relationships remain strong in many communities.

The discussion has extended beyond younger men dating older women to a broader question: should age determine who is considered desirable or suitable for a relationship?

A Different View of Ageing

Adegbite’s message encourages women to reject the idea that reaching a particular age automatically reduces their chances of finding love.

Her “premium package” remark was delivered humorously, but it also reflects a wider call for women to value their confidence, experience, personal growth and emotional maturity.

Whether the trend represents a major shift in Nigerian dating culture remains open to debate. Still, Adegbite’s central point is clear: some younger men are increasingly willing to pursue older women, and age may no longer be the barrier it was once believed to be.

Source: https://www.gistreel.com/younger-men-now-rushing-older-women-damilola-adegbite/