Tacha na man dey do man critique highlights men’s dominance in leadership and funding, saying women face higher barriers to success in Nigeria

Reality TV star and entrepreneur Tacha on Monday criticised the popular phrase “na man dey do man,” arguing that men advance and empower one another far more than women across Nigerian industries.

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In a post on X, Tacha maintained that leadership and funding opportunities in politics, business, entertainment, technology, oil and gas, finance, and the creative industry are overwhelmingly male-controlled.

Referencing her own career, Tacha claimed that if she possessed the same ideas, influence, work ethic, and drive as a man, she would likely have achieved greater progress due to easier access and fewer barriers.

She highlighted distinct expectations and structural challenges that make success for women far more difficult.

Describing the popular phrase as misleading, she asserted that it ignores the reality of Nigeria’s deeply patriarchal environment, where men occupy 70 to 90 percent of key positions.

“Men fund men far more than they fund women, and even women often prefer doing business with men over other women,” she said.

Tacha illustrated her point with personal experience, explaining that while men often close deals with a handshake, women are frequently met with conditions or distractions, sometimes even sexualised expectations.

“Women succeed despite the system, not because of it,” she added, urging women to over-prepare, over-deliver, and persistently prove competence.

She concluded: “Na man dey do man is just pure nonsense. The reality is simple: power circulates among men, and women pay a much higher price to enter the room.”

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Tacha’s remarks have sparked wide discussion on gender dynamics in Nigeria’s professional and creative sectors, highlighting ongoing debates about equity, access, and systemic barriers for women.