“I Was Hiding It”: Eniola Ajao Opens Up on Getting Pregnant at 20 and Battling Societal Stigma

Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Eniola Ajao has opened up about the emotional and societal challenges she faced after becoming pregnant at the age of 20. In a heartfelt conversation on the Talk To B podcast, the 44-year-old star shared how fear of judgment and cultural expectations pushed her into silence and isolation during a pivotal moment in her life.

“Getting pregnant at the age of 20 was a bit dramatic... You might probably want to die at a point,” she revealed.
“It wasn’t shame for me, but the society made it feel like it was.”

Ajao recounted how she concealed her pregnancy from the public while she was a student at Yabatech, relying only on close friends and family for support. At the time, societal norms painted young, unmarried mothers in a negative light, tagging them with the label "baby mama" and often writing them off as women who may never marry.

Despite the stigma, she stood her ground and gave birth to her son in May 2002, a decision she does not regret. Today, she is not just a mother but a respected figure in Nollywood, known for her acting range and directorial ventures.

💬 Opinion: Stories Like This Need to Be Heard More

In a world where women are often judged for their personal journeys, Eniola Ajao’s story is both timely and empowering. She reminds us that mistakes—or choices society deems "mistakes"—don’t define a woman's worth, future, or ability to rise.

Her openness offers strength to many young girls facing similar challenges. If anything, it calls for a shift in how we talk about early motherhood, female autonomy, and judgment-free support systems.

👏 Hats off to Eniola Ajao for using her platform to break stigma and inspire others through truth and courage.

Have you ever felt boxed in by society’s expectations?