Valentine’s day: Is it a celebration of love or loneliness? – Report

For weeks, many couples have been quietly preparing for Valentine’s Day, making dinner reservations, placing late-night orders for roses, planning surprise deliveries and rehearsing heartfelt messages meant to melt their partners’ hearts.

However, in other homes, February 14 carries no such anticipation. Some singles and even a few couples are focused on office deadlines, business targets and unfinished house chores, treating the day as just another date on the calendar.

The contrast is striking. And it raises a lingering question: Is Valentine’s Day truly a celebration of love, or does it quietly magnify loneliness?

On Friday, Republican Nigeria spoke with several Nigerians to gauge their thoughts on the annual celebration and what the day represents to them.

For some couples, the day remains sacred.
Mr Femi Olajide described Valentine’s Day as a necessary pause in a fast-paced world. “Work and responsibilities can drain you,” he said. “This day reminds us to slow down and appreciate each other.”.

Similarly, Mrs Bisi Olawale, a trader who has been married for eight years, believes the celebration no matter how modest, strengthens emotional bonds. “It doesn’t have to be expensive,” she said. “Even a thoughtful text can make you feel valued.”

However, beneath the romance lies subtle pressure. Some couples admitted feeling compelled to meet social expectations posting curated photos, exchanging elaborate gifts or staging picture-perfect surprises.

“Sometimes it feels like you’re competing online,” one respondent confessed.

For singles, the emotions are mixed.
Miss Boluwatife Akinola noted that social media can intensify feelings on the day.
“You open your phone and it’s roses, proposals and matching outfits everywhere,” she said. “Even if you were okay, you start feeling like you’re missing out.”
But not everyone agrees that being single equates to loneliness.

Mr Owadogbọn Williams dismissed the notion that February 14 defines one’s worth.“Being single doesn’t mean being lonely,” he said. “I celebrate myself, call my friends and move on.”

Others acknowledged that the day can reopen emotional wounds, particularly for those recovering from a breakup.
“If you’re healing, the day can feel louder than usual,” Mr Tunde Owoniyi said.

As red outfits dominate the streets and love-themed hashtags trend online, one thing is clear: Valentine’s Day means different things to different Nigerians.

For some, it is romance and reassurance. For others, reflection and routine and for a few, a quiet reminder of what they hope to find.

Whether viewed as a celebration of love or a spotlight on loneliness, February 14 ultimately reflects where each individual stands on their own journey with love.