Nigerians turn to Google to celebrate Valentine in 2026

Valentine’s Day in Nigeria is getting a fresh spin in 2026, as new search insights from Google reveal a shift away from the traditional dinner-and-roses routine toward highly personalised experiences, aesthetic-driven gifting, and inclusive celebrations.

According to search trends released by Google, Nigerians are increasingly using Search not just to buy gifts, but to design memorable moments ranging from spa getaways and dental ‘glow-ups’ to Valentine’s parties and long-distance love messages.

As celebrations become more elaborate, Nigerians are turning to digital tools for planning support. AI-powered tools such as Google Gemini are being used to compare travel itineraries, research spa packages, and find deals.

Creative tools such as Nano Banana are also helping users generate mood boards and visualise concepts for photoshoots and custom gifts.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, communications manager for West Africa at Google, said the 2026 trends reflect a more intentional approach to celebrating love.

“The 2026 trends show that Nigerians are being more intentional than ever about how they celebrate love, whether that’s celebrating their circle of friends for Galentine’s or putting extra effort into creative, personalised gifts like money bouquets.

“It’s exciting to see how people are using Search not just to find products, but to find inspiration and the ‘how-to’ for making their celebrations unique,” he said.

Trending searches

The data, covering seven days two weeks before Valentine’s Day (with Galentine’s searches measured over the past month), highlights the following top activity queries: spa couples’ Valentine’s package ideas, romantic weekend getaway in Lagos, and Valentine’s cruise trip near Nigeria.

Additionally, consider Valentine’s couple packages for dental care, combo deals for Valentine’s in a spa or salon, affordable restaurants for Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s photo shoot ideas.

With Nigerians blending romance, friendship, aesthetics, and technology, Valentine’s Day in 2026 appears less about tradition and more about curated experiences with carefully searched, planned, and executed with digital precision.

Self-care as the new love language

One of the most surprising trends this year is the rise of the ‘glow-up’ date. Searches for ‘Valentine couple package for dental’ are climbing, suggesting that couples are prioritising bright smiles over boxes of chocolates.

Read also: Valentine Economy I: When love is purchased

Search interest in relaxation-focused experiences is also rising sharply, with queries such as ‘spa couples valentine package ideas’ and ‘combo deal for valentines in a spa or salon’ among the top activity searches.

Rather than opting for crowded restaurants, many Nigerians appear to be choosing pampering sessions and wellness packages for two.

Experience grows bigger

While dinner remains popular, many couples are dreaming bigger. Among the top trending searches are ‘romantic weekend getaway Lagos’ and ‘Valentine cruise trip near Nigeria,’ which reflect a growing appetite for travel-based celebrations.

Younger Nigerians, meanwhile, are focused on presentation. A breakout trend this year is ‘valentine photoshoot ideas for boys,’ which indicate hat men are increasingly invested in capturing stylish, shareable moments.

Searches for affordable dining options, including ‘cheap good restaurants for Valentine’s day,’ also feature prominently, showing that budget-conscious romance remains relevant amid economic pressures.

Galentine’s goes mainstream

The concept of Galentine’s Day, which celebrates friendships alongside romantic love, continues to gain traction.

Search interest for Galentine’s Day has steadily increased year-on-year, peaking in 2025. In the first week of February alone, searches related to Galentine’s rose by 140 percent.

Trending queries over the past month include What is Galentine?, Galentine’s day gift ideas, Funny Valentine messages for friends, and Activities to do on Valentine’s day with friends, revealing the shift from couples-only celebrations to inclusive gatherings.

Read also: 7 restaurants in Lagos for a perfect Valentine’s Day date

Church and school-related searches also featured prominently, with queries such as Activities in church for youth during Valentine’s Sunday service and Activities for Valentine’s class party in Nigerian schools, showing how faith groups and educational institutions are adapting the celebration.

Long-distance love

Digital romance is also on the rise as in the first week of February, searches for Valentine’s messages for a boyfriend long distance spiked by 380 percent.

Queries such as What can a girl buy for her boyfriend on Valentine’s day rose by 200 percent, while Valentine’s messages for a new relationship increased by 180 percent.

The data suggests that beyond gifts, Nigerians are seeking the right words and gestures to sustain relationships across distance and new beginnings.

When it comes to gifts, creativity is driving demand. Searches for money bouquets for valentine are trending, as Nigerians combine cash gifts with elaborate floral arrangements for visual impact.

Other popular creative gifting searches include Valentine gift bag, pink flowers for her, nail polish Valentine gift, and how to make a gift box for Valentine’s.

Food trends are equally strong as top searches include Valentine cake ideas, Bento cake designs with cupcakes for Valentine’s Day, Valentine themed cupcakes, Valentine snack box, and Red wine on Valentine’s Day. Searches for Valentine bags quadrupled, rising by 300 percent, while Valentine hairstyles also saw a significant spike.

Folake Balogun is a tech journalist covering Africa’s fast-growing digital economy with a strong focus on incisive analysis of startup trends, venture capital, and fintech innovation, while also exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the future of connectivity by highlighting their economic and social impact.

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