Valentine’s Day, wey fall for February 14, na di day wey people dey show love, romance, and affection for di whole world.

Even though many sabi am as di day to exchange gifts and sweet gestures, e origin get plenty history, legends, and traditions wey don change over time.

For Naija, di celebration get im own unique style, wey mix Western influence with our vibrant cultural expressions. From big romantic moves to extravagant outings, Nigerians sabi make Valentine’s Day special.

Dear relationship people, as una dey buy Valentine’s Day gift for una partner, make una remember to buy for the council of friends wey dey provide listening ear for una around 1 a.m., 2 a.m., or any time of the day when “I need to talk to you about my man/woman” and give una… pic.twitter.com/Aol9vEKmD7

— EdoQueen🌹 (@EdoVibeQueen) February 5, 2025

The origin of Valentine’s Day

Di tori of Valentine’s Day start for ancient Rome, where one Christian priest wey dem call Valentine disobey Emperor Claudius II order as he hide go marry soldier, because e believe in di power of love, even though di emperor ban young men from marriage.

Dem arrest am and later kpai am on February 14, 269 AD. Valentine come become martyr for love. Later, Pope Gelasius declare February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to honor am.

As time waka, Valentine’s Day come turn to celebration of romantic love, especially during di Middle Ages, when poets like Geoffrey Chaucer link am to courtly love.

By di 18th and 19th centuries, people dey exchange handwritten notes and gifts, wey set di stage for di commercialized Valentine’s Day we know today.

Valentine’s Day in Nigeria: Love with a cultural swag

Nigeria, wey dey popular for im deep-rooted traditions and big celebrations, don embrace Valentine’s Day with full chest.

Unlike some parts of di world wey dem dey mark di day with small-small gestures, Nigerians dey carry am for head like okpa, as them dun turn February 14 to love show, romance, and even social status.

Valentine's Day calls for fun and romance, which oftentimes dinner and a movie do not make 🙅‍♀️⁠
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So, we're sharing some ideas on how to nurture the flame between you two over mutual interests: https://t.co/hhg1TMzMPA pic.twitter.com/LTzr7mVSuo

— Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) February 5, 2025

• Lavish gifts and surprise packages: For many Nigerians, Valentine’s Day na about gifts, as lovers dey go extra miles to impress their partners. Common gifts like chocolates, perfumes, flowers, and teddy bears follow, but some dey take am up a notch with big big items like designer bags, smartphones, and even cars. Customized surprise packages—where some kind team go deliver gifts with music, dancing, and fanfare—don become better style business for urban areas.
• Romantic getaways and candlelight dinners: Hotels and resorts dey get market as couples dey book them for intimate getaways. Five-star restaurants dey add special Valentine’s Day menus with candlelit dinners, live music, and fine wine. Many hotels also dey offer “Valentine’s Special” packages, including spa treatments and couple’s retreats, to make di day extra memorable.
• Public displays of affection and social media frenzy: Social media dey play massive role for modern Valentine’s Day celebrations for Naija. Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok go full with extravagant gift unboxings, surprise proposals, and heartfelt messages. Some couples dey use di day as opportunity to show off their love, while others, especially singles, go dey banter about di “pressures” of Valentine’s Day. Normally, e go pepper single people no be small.
• Singles and ‘Galentines’ Celebrations: No be everybody for Naija dey like di romantic hype of Valentine’s Day. Some single sef dey embrace “self-love” by treating themselves to shopping sprees or spa days. Others go gather for “Galentine’s” celebrations, where female friends go come together to celebrate friendship with fun outings, games, and gift exchanges. Churches and youth groups also dey organize events wey dey promote love beyond romance, focusing on self-care, family, and charity.
• Valentine’s Day business boom: For businesses, February 14 na goldmine. Restaurants, florists, confectionery shops, fashion brands, and event planners dey see surge in demand. Many vendors dey create special “Valentine’s Offers,” selling curated hampers and delivering them with flair. Valentine’s Day also dey spark creativity, with small businesses crafting unique love-themed items like personalized cakes, jewelry, and matching outfits for couples.

Valentine’s Day controversy in Nigeria

The Hearts' season is on its way 💘 For significant others who want less hassle this Valentine's day, we picked up the sweetest Valentine's Day classics in one package 📦💌🎂💐

Package includes
*Bouquet 💐
*Mini cake 🎂
*Poem 💌

See thread for more details 🤗🌹 pic.twitter.com/dQ304PZE4n

— Alunsina🥀 (@AlunsinaKid) January 26, 2021

Even though e popular well-well, Valentine’s Day dey carry some small small wahala for Naija.

Some religious groups dey see am as over sabi, commercialized holiday wey dey promote immorality.

Schools and religious institutions sometimes dey discourage extravagant celebrations, emphasizing di importance of love beyond material gifts.

Even with that one, di day still remain one of di most anticipated celebrations, wey dey carry enough excitement, drama, and endless debates.

Conclusion

Valentine’s Day for Naija no be just day of love; e be experience, culture, and for some, social statement.

Whether na big romantic moves, small acts of affection, or even humorous anti-Valentine’s sentiments, Nigerians dey celebrate love in bold, colorful, and unforgettable ways.

As February 14 dey approach, di air dey thick with anticipation—who go get di biggest gift? Who go chop breakfast? And who go seize di day as opportunity to redefine love? One thing sure: Naija no dey carry last for Valentine’s Day.