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Rotimi: Women need men mature enough to handle their emotions
14th September, 2026 02:48 PM
Nigerian actor and musician Olurotimi Akinosho, popularly known as Rotimi, has urged men to rethink some of the lessons they were taught about masculinity, arguing that emotional strength does not mean suppressing feelings.
Rotimi said becoming a better man can sometimes require unlearning beliefs picked up during childhood, particularly the idea that men should always appear tough and hide their emotions.
According to the actor, many boys grow up being taught to be tough and avoid showing vulnerability, lessons that can later affect how they deal with their emotions as adults.
“Becoming a better man sometimes means unlearning what you were taught as a boy, like we were taught that we be tough and hide our emotions,” Rotimi said.
He, however, challenged men to reconsider whether hiding their feelings is the same as being emotionally strong.
Rotimi argued that women do not necessarily need men who appear unaffected by what happens around them but rather partners who can acknowledge and manage what they feel.
He added that emotional maturity involves being able to experience feelings without allowing them to control one’s actions or relationships.
“But a woman does not need a man who feels nothing; she needs a man mature enough to handle what he feels,” he added.
Why emotional maturity matters
His remarks highlight the importance of emotional maturity in relationships, particularly as conversations around masculinity continue to evolve.
For Rotimi, becoming emotionally mature does not mean abandoning strength or responsibility. Instead, it means developing the ability to recognise one’s emotions and respond to them in a healthy and controlled manner.
The actor’s message also challenges the traditional expectation that men should remain silent about their struggles or avoid showing vulnerability.
Rather than measuring masculinity by how little emotion a man displays, Rotimi encouraged men to develop a healthier relationship with their feelings.
His comments are likely to resonate with ongoing conversations about how men are raised and the expectations placed on them from childhood.
The message also suggests that emotional awareness can strengthen relationships, allowing men to communicate more openly and deal with difficult situations without resorting to emotional suppression.
For Rotimi, the journey towards becoming a better man therefore includes questioning some of the beliefs learnt during childhood and developing the maturity to handle emotions rather than simply hiding them.
