Nollywood actress and filmmaker Eniola Ajao has shared her emotional journey of becoming a mother at 20, revealing the societal pressure and stigma she faced during that period. In a recent podcast appearance on “Talk To B,” Ajao recounted feeling isolated and ashamed due to being pregnant out of wedlock.
According to Ajao, the experience was overwhelming, with feelings of desperation and hopelessness. “Having to get pregnant at 20 was a bit dramatic; you just feel like the whole world is coming against you,” she said, adding that she considered the possibility of never getting married and being labeled a “baby mama.”
Ajao, now 44, kept her pregnancy private, only sharing the news with close friends and family members. She attributed this secrecy to the fear of stigma and societal judgment, highlighting the differences in expectations between her generation and the current one.
“Omotola got married at 18, a lot of people got married at 17, but where I come from, they want you to finish your school, graduate, and do a couple of things,” she added, comparing her situation to others who married young.
The actress, who was a student at Yabatech when she got pregnant, has maintained a clear boundary between her public career and personal life, keeping her son off social media. In May 2024, she revealed her reasons for doing so, emphasizing her desire to protect her child’s privacy.
Ajao’s story serves as a reflection of the challenges many young women face when dealing with unplanned pregnancies and societal expectations. Her experience highlights the importance of support and understanding for those navigating similar situations.
