Nollywood actress Eniola Ajao shares her emotional journey of becoming a mother at 20, confronting cultural expectations and stigma in a candid interview.
Popular Nigerian actress and filmmaker Eniola Ajao has opened up about the deeply personal and emotional challenges she faced after getting pregnant at the age of 20. In a candid conversation on the Talk To B podcast, the award-winning Nollywood star revealed how societal pressure and the fear of stigma led her to hide her pregnancy from both the public and her family.
The 44-year-old actress, known for her vibrant roles in Yoruba-language films, described the experience as both “dramatic” and emotionally isolating, especially during a time when society placed rigid expectations on young women.
“Getting pregnant at the age of 20 was a bit dramatic because you just feel like the world is coming against you,” Ajao confessed during the interview. “You might probably want to die at a point, and you wouldn’t be able to get married again because of the stigma.”
Fear, Isolation, and Cultural Pressure
Ajao explained that, despite not personally feeling ashamed of her pregnancy, the cultural climate at the time made it difficult to openly embrace early motherhood. She admitted to going to great lengths to keep her pregnancy a secret, fearing societal backlash and the “baby mama” label that she believed could ruin her reputation and marriage prospects.
“You would want to hide it from your parents and the public because it was considered a thing of shame at that time,” she said. “Not that it was a thing of shame for me, but it was considered to be early.”
She added that only close friends and family members knew about her condition during that period. According to her, even though early marriage was not entirely uncommon—citing fellow actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who married at 18—the environment she grew up in demanded academic and social milestones before motherhood.
“Omotola got married at 18, a lot of people married at 17,” she continued. “But where I come from, they want you to graduate and do a couple of things before marriage or childbirth. I was already in Yabatech [Yaba College of Technology] when I got pregnant.”
A Private Struggle Behind Public Success
Today, Eniola Ajao is one of the most respected actresses in Nollywood, with dozens of credits to her name, both as an actress and a filmmaker. However, her recent interview sheds light on the private battles she faced behind the scenes at a young age—battles that many women in similar situations may still be facing.
Ajao gave birth to her son in May 2002. The experience of becoming a young mother under pressure not only shaped her as a woman but also influenced her career and life philosophy.
She admitted to withdrawing from social situations at the time, just to avoid negative labeling or uncomfortable conversations.
“Thinking that you may not get married, somebody calling you a baby mama, and you don’t want to get stigmatised… I isolated myself,” she said.
Breaking the Silence to Inspire Others
The actress’s decision to speak up now is being seen by many as both brave and necessary. Her story resonates in a society where unmarried young mothers still face criticism, social exclusion, and judgment. By sharing her journey, Ajao aims to normalize conversations around early motherhood, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The Talk To B podcast appearance has since gone viral, with fans and fellow Nollywood colleagues praising her honesty and vulnerability. Many have hailed her for breaking the silence around a topic that is often swept under the rug, especially among public figures.
“You are not alone,” one fan commented on the podcast’s post. “Thank you for your courage, Eniola. You’ve inspired many women who feel ashamed of their past.”
Another follower wrote, “Society needs to stop making young mothers feel like failures. Eniola Ajao is proof that you can rise and shine despite setbacks.”
Motherhood and Career Growth
Despite the early challenges, Ajao has managed to balance motherhood with a thriving career in the Nigerian film industry. Her son, now 22 years old, remains largely out of the public eye, a choice that Ajao appears to have made to protect his privacy.
Over the years, she has grown from being a promising actress into a seasoned film producer and scriptwriter. Her work, especially in Yoruba cinema, has earned her multiple awards and a dedicated fan base across Africa and the diaspora.
Ajao’s journey is also a testament to the resilience and determination that many African women must summon to thrive in male-dominated industries while navigating societal expectations.
Changing Narratives Around Early Motherhood
Her story comes at a time when more Nigerian celebrities are using their platforms to challenge outdated norms and promote acceptance. Conversations around early motherhood, mental health, and gender-based expectations are gradually taking center stage in mainstream discourse.
By sharing her truth, Eniola Ajao has not only reclaimed her narrative but also opened the door for other women to do the same.
“I’m no longer ashamed,” she said toward the end of the interview. “It made me stronger, and it made me who I am today.”
Conclusion
Eniola Ajao’s emotional recount of her early pregnancy and the stigma she endured offers a powerful reflection on the challenges many young Nigerian women face. From hiding her pregnancy to building a successful career and raising her son, Ajao has turned what was once a source of fear into a badge of strength.
In a society that is slowly shifting its perception of motherhood, her voice adds to the growing call for empathy, support, and understanding for women navigating life’s unexpected turns.
