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Even though Tinubu’s government doesn’t rate our medical experts like that, dating someone in the medical field is a huge flex. You get to have them as your fixer and Wikipedia for everything health-related.

Still, it’s not all roses and peaches. We asked Nigerians who have dated or are currently dating medical practitioners to tell us how it’s going, and they’ve got stories for days.

Kenny*

Dating someone in the medical field? Definitely not for everyone. It takes a reserve of patience and getting used to their constant absence. My partner’s schedule is insanely busy; sometimes, I wonder how he manages. He can be in really bad moods and blame it on the stress and pressure to perform at work. But I’ve learned that patience is key with him. I think what helps me forgive these things is the perks that come with dating him—he’s like my medical advisor. He’s on it whenever I need health advice and never jokes about my well-being.

Tayo*

I once dated someone in the medical field, and it wasn’t the best experience. 

At first, everything was fine, but I started noticing she had an insatiable need for sex and would always want me to last longer. She suggested some injection that supposedly helps with lasting longer. I can’t remember the name, but she kept insisting, and soon, I was almost hooked on it. Plus, she had a cocktail of pills for different “ecstatic feels.” My life went way off course while we dated. I learned my lesson—never again.

Tope*

Medical doctors? Foolish people, and I’m not even sorry to say it. I’ve only dated two, but those experiences are enough for me. Both were emotionally absent and didn’t deserve my love. Honestly, it’s hard to recall all the details, and I’ve put those experiences behind me, but they were far from my best dating days. I’m healed now, so please don’t send me another doctor.

Ayomide*

I had a casual, friends-with-benefits thing with a doctor. What I liked most was how attentive he was. If there was any slight headache, a minor change in body temperature, or a sign of fatigue, he’d take it seriously and wouldn’t rest until I was okay. When we went out, he was always particular about hygiene and how food was prepared. His house was honestly one of the neatest places I’ve ever been; it looked like he had a 24/7 cleaner on standby. But his obsession with cleanliness was extreme, and eventually, I knew I couldn’t handle it long-term.

Hassan*

My wife’s a doctor, and our relationship has gone through different stages. My biggest complaint when she was in med school was her lack of presence. We lived in the same area but could go weeks without seeing each other because she was either studying or in tutorials. She’d choose study groups over me; somehow, we still made it through that phase. 

Presently it’s another wahala: “My patient this, my patient that”—she’s always about her patients, and I sometimes wonder where I fall on her priority list. I’ve mentioned a couple of times that she’ll need to create a better balance when we have kids. I respect her commitment, but our family will need to come first.

Joan*

Dating someone in med school is like having a personal storyteller with endless tea. I’m a big yapper, so it’s even better when he has unhinged stories about procedures, ward rounds, and everything in his world. I also watch a lot of medical series, so having someone share the real-life version makes mad sense.

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