Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has announced that she is officially “off the streets,” a term commonly used to describe women who are married or no longer searching for love.
The singer disclosed this during a TikTok livestream on Monday, where she spoke candidly about her experiences with men and her decision to move away from relationships she considers unproductive .
“I don’t like it when guys waste my time. But for me, never again. I don’t have that problem anymore. I have left the streets; I wouldn’t even say I was ever on the streets,” Tems said .
The comment quickly sparked widespread speculation among fans, with many interpreting her declaration as a possible indication that she is now in a serious relationship. However, Tems did not name a partner or directly confirm that she is dating anyone during the livestream .
This is not the first time Tems has spoken openly about her struggles with dating. In a previous interview with YouTuber Korty EO, the singer revealed that many of the men who approached her appeared to be interested mainly in her body rather than in forming a genuine connection .
She explained that she wanted something deeper and more meaningful from a relationship . The singer has also previously stated that she had never been in love and described emotional intelligence, humour and spiritual maturity as some of the qualities she would want in a partner .
Tems has also addressed speculation about dating within the Nigerian entertainment industry. In a separate interview, she said she cannot see herself dating Nigerian celebrities, explaining that she prefers to keep relationships in the entertainment space strictly friendly .
When asked specifically about Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, she acknowledged knowing who he is but stated she does not have a personal relationship with him .
Over the years, Tems has been linked to different men in social media discussions, though most of those claims have not been confirmed by the singer. More recently, her collaboration with British rapper Dave on the song “Raindance” generated dating speculation after the accompanying music video portrayed the pair in an intimate, romantic setting .
The video, released in January 2026, was filmed in Lagos and featured scenes that led some fans to interpret the two artistes as a couple. However, the speculation has not amounted to a confirmed relationship .
Tems has generally kept her romantic life away from public scrutiny despite persistent interest from fans and the media. Her decision to describe herself as being “off the streets” has now given fans another reason to question whether her relationship status has changed .
The phrase is commonly used in Nigerian social media conversations to suggest that someone has stopped dating casually or searching for a partner, often because they have found someone they consider serious .
The 30-year-old singer, known for hits like “Try Me,” “Free Mind,” and “Love Me JeJe,” has established herself as one of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports. She has won two Grammy Awards and earned international recognition for her distinctive blend of Afrobeats, R&B and soul.
Her collaborations with global artistes including Wizkid and Drake have further cemented her status as a global star . She also made history as the first Nigerian female artiste to win a Grammy, taking home the Best Melodic Rap Performance award for her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” in 2022.
Tems is currently working on her debut album, which fans eagerly anticipate following the success of her EPs “For Broken Ears” and “If Orange Was a Place.”
