You Will Marry My Daughter” – Soldier’s Bold Marriage Proposal to Lt Yerima Goes Viral

  When young naval officer Lt. Yerima found himself face-to-face with Nigeria’s FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in a tense viral video, little did ...

 

When young naval officer Lt. Yerima found himself face-to-face with Nigeria’s FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in a tense viral video, little did he know the ripple effects would reach across continents. A US-based Nigerian soldier watched the clip, liked Yerima’s composure — and publicly offered his daughter in marriage to him. It’s the kind of twist you might see in a Nollywood drama, but this one played out on social media with real-life uniforms and real stakes.

Lt. Yerima, a naval lieutenant working in the FCT, became the talk of social media after a confrontation with Minister Nyesom Wike. According to reports, during a property-related dispute in Abuja, Wike attempted to give an order to Yerima—but the officer stood his ground, citing the chain of command and his superior’s orders instead of the minister’s directive. The exchange was captured, posted online, and quickly went viral. 
His direct, calm stance earned him admiration—and memes. The kind of internet fame that spreads overnight.

From Admiration to Marriage Proposal

Enter a Nigerian soldier posted with a UN mission overseas (in the US). He watched the video of Lt. Yerima, was impressed with how the officer handled himself, and on his Facebook page made a bold move: he publicly declared that Yerima would marry his daughter, who is “almost a full lieutenant too” and “an elite soldier.” 
The post said:

“Don’t worry, you will marry my daughter. She is almost a full lieutenant too. She is an elite soldier. I like your steeze in the face of unprecedented provocation. Very, very professional.”
Such an offer isn’t just about marriage—it’s about respect, standing, and recognition of a man’s public character.

Why This Hits Social Nerves

1. Respect for military discipline—The soldier clearly values Yerima’s obedience to protocol and professional conduct, even when challenged.

2. Celebrity for the average man—Lt. Yerima’s clip turned him into a figure of admiration for young Nigerians who appreciate someone who won’t bend under pressure.

3. Unusual public proposal—While marriage offers are common, a soldier offering his daughter to an officer he’s never met, purely out of admiration, is rare.

4. Online theatre turning real – In Nigeria, we’re used to clips going viral and people responding. This is a variant: a kind of public gesture of respect turned marriage offer.

Broader Real-World Context

This isn’t the first time military personnel in Nigeria have become part of viral marriage stories. A few years ago, a female soldier at an NYSC orientation camp in Kwara accepted a marriage proposal from a corps member—only for the army to step in and discipline her for “romancing in uniform.” 
Also, consider how many viral videos of Nigerian soldiers love-life hit social media: the young man fighting insurgents in Maiduguri proposed to his Facebook met-girlfriend, citing her prayers and support. 
These show a pattern: uniformed men, public attention, and personal gestures turning into public spectacles.

What It Means for Lt. Yerima (and Us)

For Yerima: This whole episode places him under a different spotlight. The viral moment already elevated him; now a public marriage offer pushes his narrative further—he’s not just viral, he’s admired.
For everyday Nigerians: It reflects how social respect is being expressed and amplified online. Someone out there watched, evaluated, and publicly honored another person’s behavior.
For military image: It’s a reminder that officers’ public conduct can ripple beyond their command posts—into social media, reputation, and even marriage proposals.

A Few Questions to Ponder

• Will Lt. Yerima respond to the offer? Will it remain symbolic or turn into actual contact?

• How will the public judge this kind of gesture? As genuine respect or as performative social media drama?

• What will this mean for how uniformed men and women are perceived in Nigeria’s digital-age culture?

 Conclusion

In a world where a two-minute video can change a person’s identity overnight, the story of Lt. Yerima and the US-based soldier’s bold marriage offer is both curious and telling. It shows respect, discipline, and admiration intersecting with social media culture. Whether the proposition ever becomes real doesn’t matter as much as what it symbolizes: someone stood up, held his ground and someone else noticed and said, “I see you.” Just like when a Nollywood character wins respect and suddenly becomes a hero to entire towns, this time it’s real-life uniforms, real stakes, and real attention.
Maybe we’ll never know if the marriage offer leads anywhere—but we do know the era of viral moments is just as much about character as it is about clicks.