Support hardworking women over “fine girls”
Laura Ikeji, entrepreneur and influencer, has urged Nigerians to value and support women who work hard for their success instead of those who become wealthy simply by their looks or through relationships with men. She expressed concern over a growing societal trend where “fine girls”—women who are seen as good looking—seem to command more recognition and material benefits than women who put in effort, build careers or businesses, or labor persistently to carve out their own space.
In a video shared on her social media, Laura said it disturbs her that some women who do very little are seen as more successful than their industrious counterparts. She pointed out that many of these “fine girls” get money by being attractive or by being associated with wealthy men, rather than by their own endeavor. According to her, this creates a wrong incentive, where hard work is undervalued and glamor or connections are overly praised.
Laura called on people—especially women—to intentionally patronize hardworking female friends. She emphasized that supporting those who strive and contribute despite systemic obstacles or social pressures helps shift culture. She believes celebrating hard work among women will help foster a healthier society in which success is tied to merit, discipline, persistence, and not just external appearance or dependency.
Her remarks also challenge societal norms around success, wealth, and morality. By pointing out that some women accumulate wealth from relationships rather than enterprise, she is questioning moral and ethical assumptions about what it means to succeed. Her stance is that sustainable, respectable success comes from one’s own labor and ability.
