By: Tunde Ajayi / 30 January 2026
Magazine Blog : Online Dating Safety Guides : New to Online Dating : Profiles & Presentation : Online Dating
If you’ve ever tried online dating in Nigeria, you already know one thing: it can be sweet… and it can also have it’s downsides. One minute you’re smiling at a fine profile, next minute you’re asking yourself, “Is this person serious at all?”
Online dating is no longer strange here. From Lagos to Enugu, Abuja to Ibadan, people are meeting, chatting, and even getting married from dating apps and websites. But the truth is simple: your dating profile can make or break your chances.
This article will gently break down what makes a good dating profile versus a bad one, using real Nigerian-style examples, everyday experiences, and some humor we can all relate to. Most importantly, we’ll keep reminding ourselves about online dating safety, because love is sweet, but safety is sweeter.
First, Let’s Be Honest: Your Profile Is Your First Impression
In real life, first impression might be how you dress for a wedding or how you greet elders at home. Online, your profile is doing that job for you.
Nobody can hear your voice or see you in real life immediately. All they have is:
- Your photos
- Your bio
- The little details you choose to share
If your profile looks off, people will likely assume something is off about you as well. It’s not cruelty—it’s simply human nature.
What a Good Nigerian Dating Profile Looks Like
Let’s start with the good side, so we know what we’re aiming for.
1. Clear, Honest Photos (Not Camera 3310 Quality)
A good profile usually has clear pictures. Not over-edited, not filtered like a cartoon, not from 2009.
Good example:
Tunde, 32, uses 3–4 clear photos:
- One smiling picture taken in daylight
- One casual picture in native or jeans
- One normal selfie (not bathroom mirror with dirty tiles)
Nothing flashy. Just clean and real.
Why this works:
People want to see you, not your shadow or your forehead only. Clear photos build trust, which is very important in Nigeria where online scams are real.
Safety tip:
Never use photos that show sensitive information in the background (office ID card, house number, car plate).
2. A Bio That Sounds Like a Human Being
Good profiles sound like someone you can actually talk to.
Good example:
“Easy-going guy from Ibadan. I work in logistics and I enjoy road trips, good food, and old Nigerian songs. Looking to meet someone kind and serious-minded. Let’s see where it goes.”
Simple. No grammar competition. No big grammar to intimidate people.
Why this works:
It shows personality and intention. You don’t need to be a poet. Just be real.
3. Clear Intentions (No Guessing Game)
One major problem in Nigerian online dating is people pretending.
Good profiles are clear:
- Looking for serious relationship? Say it.
- Open to friendship first? Say it.
Good example:
“Not here for games. I’m interested in a genuine relationship, with friendship as the foundation.”
This saves time and reduces unnecessary drama.
4. Respectful Language
A good profile doesn’t insult people or make aggressive demands.
Good example:
“Please be honest and respectful. Communication matters to me.”
Calm. Mature. Normal.
Now, Let’s Talk About Bad Dating Profiles (We’ve All Seen Them)
This part might sting a little, but let’s laugh and learn.
1. The “No Bio at All” Profile
Just pictures. No words. Nothing.
People see this and think:
- “Is this person serious?”
- “Is this a fake account?”
In Nigeria especially, no bio can be a red flag.
Safety note:
Empty profiles are often used by scammers. Always be cautious.
2. The Angry Profile
Some profiles sound like someone just came out of heartbreak and decided to shout online.
Bad example:
“If you’re here to waste my time, don’t message me. I don’t like liars, cheats, gold diggers, or unserious people.”
Hmm.
What’s wrong here:
You may have valid experiences, but starting with anger pushes away genuine people. It also makes it look like you carry wahala.
3. The Unrealistic Demands List
We’ve all seen this one.
Bad example:
“I want a lady that is God-fearing, beautiful, rich, slim-thick, fair, can cook like my mother, has her own house, no male friends, and must not talk too much.”
Be calming down.
Why it’s bad:
It sounds controlling and unrealistic. Nobody is perfect, and online dating is about connection, not shopping for a human product.
4. Fake Lifestyle and Lies
Some profiles try too hard to impress.
Borrowed car pictures. Hotel photos like it’s their house. Big lies about job and location.
Reality check:
In Nigeria, lies catch up fast. Eventually, you’ll need to do video calls, meet in public, or explain yourself.
Safety reminder:
If someone’s lifestyle doesn’t add up, trust your instincts. Don’t send money, data, or personal details to “online big boys or big girls”.
5. Oversharing Private Information
This one is dangerous.
Bad example:
“My full name is… I live at No. 15 so-so street. I work at this company. My phone number is…”
Please, no.
Why this is risky:
Online dating safety means protecting your privacy. Scammers and criminals exist. Share personal details only after trust is built, and even then, carefully.
Messaging Matters Too (Not Just the Profile)
Even a good profile can be ruined by bad conversation.
Bad first message:
“Hi”
“Hey”
“Sup”
Dry like harmattan.
Better example:
“Hi Aisha, I noticed you like travelling. What’s your favorite place you’ve been to in Nigeria?”
Simple effort goes a long way.
Red Flags Nigerians Should Never Ignore
Let’s be serious.
Be careful if someone:
- Quickly asks for money, data, or help
- Always refuses video calls
- Has many sad stories back to back
- Pushes to move off the dating site immediately
- Avoids meeting in public places
Your safety comes first.
No matter how sweet the conversation is.
Final Thoughts: Be Real, Be Kind, Be Careful
Online dating in Nigeria can work. Many people have found love, companionship, and even marriage through it. But success starts with a good, honest profile and smart safety habits.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need big grammar. You don’t need to impress everybody.
Just:
- Be yourself
- Be respectful
- Be clear
- And always be cautious
A good dating profile doesn’t shout. It doesn’t lie. It simply introduces the real you — and lets the right person respond.
And if your profile needs small adjustment, no shame. Even Jollof rice is better after small correction.
Happy dating, and stay safe online.