For years, the topic of infertility has been treated as taboo in Nigeria, a societal dictation that usually forces many couples into silence due to the fear of the unknown pressure and stigma.
However, the jinx has appeared seemingly broken in recent times. Some Nigerian celebrities have not only chosen a different path somewhat alien but also chose to make it an open secret, defying the culture of silence by sharing personal journeys with assisted reproductive technology, notably surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Their decisions, often borne out of medical necessity, have not only expanded the conversation around motherhood but also inspired countless women battling fertility challenges.
What’s in Surrogacy and IVF
Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple who cannot conceive or sustain a pregnancy.
It comes in two forms: conventional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own egg, and gestational surrogacy, made possible through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), where she carries an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm.While IVF has made gestational surrogacy increasingly common,conversations around it remain limited in Nigeria.
This was the focus of a recent lecture in Ibadan, themed “Surrogacy as a Pathway to Modern Progress in Nigeria,” organised by Hanniel’s Noble Legal Practitioners.
The guest speaker,legal practitioner and surrogacy law advocate,Othniel Idowu Falana,described surrogacy as an “emerging reality” that policymakers and stakeholders must address.
According to him, it is not just about medical possibilities but also about human rights and societal acceptance.
Falana shared his experience handling a case in 2021 that revealed the discrimination children born through surrogacy can face.
“A woman who used a surrogate was denied visas for her children to travel to Germany because they were not considered to have been born ‘properly.’ this is an issue of identity denial,” he said.For Falana, the key message is clear: “Every child, regardless of how they are conceived, has rights protected under Nigerian law.”
As more Nigerians turn to IVF and surrogacy, experts believe the conversation must go beyond medical science to include policy, ethics, and social acceptance ensuring that the path to parenthood is not only possible but also dignified.
While this is a growing trend among celebrities with many still not in the open, Tribune Online takes a look at those who have chosen to unearth their cherished way-forward:
1. Ini edo: The Pioneer of openness
ini Edo who got married
Nigerian Celebrities embracing Surrogacy: A Growing Trend and Shifting Social Perceptions
recent years have seen a growing number of Nigerian celebrities openly sharing their journeys to motherhood through surrogacy, sparking conversations about infertility, medical advancements, and evolving societal norms. While once a taboo subject, surrogacy is increasingly becoming a viable and accepted option for women facing challenges in conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. Here’s a look at the stories of some prominent Nigerian figures who have embraced this path:
1. Ini Edo: A Long and Tough Road to Motherhood
Actress Ini Edo welcomed her daughter, Hayla, in June 2023 through surrogacy. Edo had previously been very private about her struggles with infertility, revealing in 2022 that she had undergone multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments. She shared her story on the cover of ThisDay Style, detailing years of heartbreak and perseverance. According to BellaNaija, Edo experienced one failed IVF cycle, a canceled surrogate cycle, and three failed surrogate attempts over two years before finally welcoming her daughter. https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/06/ini-edo-welcomes-a-baby-girl-via-surrogacy/ She expressed immense gratitude, attributing her success to divine intervention.
2. Abiola Adebayo: A Testimony of Faith and Perseverance
Actress Abiola Adebayo also recently shared her journey to motherhood via surrogacy.In a post on Instagram, Adebayo revealed she and her husband welcomed their son after a challenging period. Pulse Nigeria reported that Adebayo experienced one failed IVF attempt, a canceled surrogate cycle, and three failed surrogate attempts spanning two years before successfully becoming a mother. https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/abiola-adebayo-shares-her-surrogacy-journey-after-years-of-trying/6666669 She credited God with blessing them with a son through their surrogate mother, describing it as a “great testimony.”
3. Nike Osinowo: Battling Endometriosis and Redefining Motherhood
Nike Osinowo, a former Miss Nigeria, welcomed twins (a boy and a girl) via gestational surrogacy in the United States in October 2013. Her journey was driven by a decades-long battle with endometriosis, a painful condition that made carrying a pregnancy impossible. Surrogacy was a medically necessary path to motherhood for Osinowo. https://guardian.ng/life/nike-oshinowo-my-battle-with-endometriosis/
Osinowo’s decision to become a mother at age 47 challenged conventional ideas about the “right” age to have children. While her surrogacy journey initially faced some public scrutiny regarding her marital status at the time, her story has become an inspiration for women seeking to become mothers later in life.
Evolving social acceptance
The experiences of edo, Adebayo, and Osinowo highlight a shift in social acceptance of surrogacy in Nigeria over the past decade. While Osinowo’s journey faced more initial controversy, the more recent public disclosures by Edo and Adebayo have been met with largely positive responses and increased understanding. This suggests a growing awareness and acceptance of alternative paths to parenthood within Nigerian society.
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