Woman Hired Investigator Before Marrying Nigerian Husband

When Clarissa Zoe Arokodare's Nigerian partner proposed in 2024, she didn't just say yes. She hired a private investigator in Lagos to verify everything he'd told her first.

The American songwriter, raised in New York since 1993, met her husband through TikTok after his late wife's brother introduced them. At that point in her life, she wasn't even looking for a relationship.

"I had met a Nigerian man in New York who exposed me to Yoruba culture, and it was something I admired deeply," Clarissa explained. But romance scam fears still lingered in the back of her mind.

The private investigator's report confirmed everything checked out. More importantly, her future husband never pretended to be something he wasn't, showing her exactly where he lived and refusing money when she offered help during tough times.

They started talking in May 2024. By October, Clarissa flew to Nigeria for what was supposed to be a one-week visit that turned into six weeks.

He proposed in November at a Lagos hotel with a room full of flowers he'd bought but almost forgot to give her. They married in April 2025.

Sunny's Take

What makes this love story truly special isn't just the cross-continental romance. It's watching someone challenge their own assumptions and discover what matters most.

Clarissa's family initially had reservations based on a cousin's past negative experience with a Nigerian man. Her husband's honesty and consistency slowly changed their minds completely.

"In Yoruba culture, you don't just marry an individual. You marry a family," she said, noting how that sense of community and shared responsibility transformed her entire perspective on relationships.

The former social services coordinator who spent five years working with homeless populations in supportive housing resigned in August to build a life in Nigeria. She's adapted to dressing more modestly, learned to greet people properly, and conquered the biggest challenge of all: the food.

Now she's channeling her Nigeria experience into music, creating songs meant to inspire and change negative perceptions about the country. Her track "Rise Again" celebrates the culture that welcomed her with open arms.

From private investigator reports to wedding vows, Clarissa's journey proves that love built on honesty, respect, and intentional commitment can bridge any distance.