Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong has candidly reflected on his past, revealing that his brief experience as a womaniser offered valuable lessons—ones he now uses to caution young men seeking meaningful relationships.

In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Etim-Effiong admitted to dating multiple women simultaneously during a certain phase of his youth. While he doesn't claim it defined his entire life, he acknowledges that it was a chapter marked by exploration.

“There was a point in my life where, by some definitions, I may have been considered a womaniser. It wasn’t a long-term lifestyle, but there were certain seasons where I explored. So, perhaps, yes,” he said.

He described those times as formative but warned that such a lifestyle is ultimately unsustainable, particularly for those who envision marriage or long-term commitment.

“They were learning periods for me. And if I gained insight from them, then they weren’t wasted. I realised that some things that seem fulfilling on paper don’t necessarily translate to real-life satisfaction,” he explained.

Etim-Effiong urged young people, especially men, to avoid cultivating behaviours that may undermine future relationships, stressing that commitment is not an automatic switch but a discipline developed over time.

“I often tell young people—it may seem cool to be a player, but if you build your life around that habit, don’t expect it to disappear overnight. If you’re not used to being committed to one person, marriage won’t suddenly fix that.”

He further explained that unresolved habits can manifest negatively in marriage: “If you’re the kind of person who walks away easily or juggles multiple relationships before marriage, that pattern doesn’t just vanish. When challenges arise, your first instinct might still be to walk away or look for someone else who will ‘listen’ to you.”