‘Classism in Poverty’: Nigerian Lady Sparks Debate After Refusing Man’s Approach in Keke

 

A heated debate erupted across Nigerian social media after a lady identified as Lase took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her displeasure at being approached by a man while they were both commuting in a commercial tricycle, locally known as "keke."

Sharing her experience online, Lase questioned why she should be expected to entertain a romantic approach from someone she perceived as her "equal" in circumstance, simply because they were both passengers inside the humble means of transport. "I'm inside keke, you're inside keke too. So why should I give you my number?" she wrote, inadvertently lighting a fuse that set off waves of reactions across the platform.

Thousands of users quickly weighed in, with the overwhelming majority criticizing her comment as an embodiment of classism, even amidst modest economic circumstances. Many were quick to point out what they described as a pervasive mindset among some individuals — the tendency to distance themselves from perceived 'poverty' while still grappling with similar financial realities themselves.

One notable reaction came from user Irunnia, who stated bluntly, "Most Nigerian women never see themselves as poor. She just believes she is dating the wrong man." His comment resonated widely, garnering hundreds of likes and retweets, as users dissected the layers of economic aspiration and social positioning that define many modern relationships.

The backlash was not restricted to male voices alone. Several women also criticized Lase’s position, with some accusing her of practicing a form of ‘selective classism’ that was not only misplaced but also deeply unfair. One female user described Lase’s mindset as “classism in poverty,” a phrase that quickly gained traction as a sharp, memorable indictment of her behavior.

 

 

Rather than simply dismissing the man based on personal disinterest — a right everyone possesses — critics argue that her public reasoning revealed a problematic belief: that someone’s worthiness for attention is directly tied to their visible financial status or perceived upward mobility.

Khalifa Rabiu, a practicing architect, weighed in with a personal story that highlighted the perils of making snap judgments based on appearances. He recounted, "I once trekked on foot, rode a bike, and rode a jet all in the same day. It was a huge lesson in humility for me. I met one of my bosses in Public Transport. The man's net worth humbled me." His anecdote served as a poignant reminder that true wealth and success are often cloaked in unassuming packages.

The story found further dimension as more Nigerians recounted their own experiences of meeting influential and wealthy individuals in modest settings — public buses, motorbikes, street queues. These accounts painted a broader cultural picture: in Nigeria’s diverse socio-economic landscape, appearances can be incredibly deceptive.

Many observers noted that beyond the classism allegations, Lase’s story taps into deeper societal issues: a fixation on status symbols, external validation, and the increasingly transactional lens through which romantic relationships are sometimes viewed. Some argued that her sentiment reflected a broader generational trend where partners are evaluated first through material markers rather than character, values, or shared vision.

However, not all the reactions were entirely unsympathetic. A smaller group of users defended Lase’s autonomy, asserting that she had every right to set her own standards and decline advances from whomever she chose, regardless of the platform’s moral outrage. Still, even among her defenders, there was an acknowledgment that the way she framed her refusal — publicly and with class-based undertones — was problematic and unnecessarily demeaning.

As the firestorm around Lase's post continued to grow, some users pointed out that the discussion was reflective of a society where mobility, both literal and social, is often tightly contested. Public transport, for many, becomes not just a means of movement but a visible marker of one's place in a shifting economic hierarchy.

What remains clear from the incident is that social media has once again proved to be a mirror — sometimes flattering, often unflinching — of Nigerian society. Lase’s comment, intended perhaps as a light-hearted personal observation, instead cracked open larger conversations about respect, humility, aspirations, and the peril of reducing people's worth to fleeting outward appearances.

While Lase herself has yet to issue a follow-up statement, the conversation she inadvertently sparked continues to simmer, touching nerves and prompting a collective reflection on how Nigerians see themselves, and each other, in the often unpredictable journey toward personal success.