Popular Nollywood actress Eniola Ajao has opened up about the personal struggles she faced when she became pregnant at the young age of 20.
In a recent episode of the Talk To B podcast, the 44-year-old actress shared emotional details about the fear, isolation, and societal pressures she battled during her early journey into motherhood.
Her story sheds light on the silent struggles many young women face in Nigeria and across the world when they become mothers before they feel ready.
Hiding her pregnancy
Eniola revealed that when she discovered she was pregnant, her first instinct was to hide it.
“You know, things weren’t what they are today,” she explained. “Getting pregnant at 20 was dramatic. You feel like the world is turning against you.”
She said that at the time, societal expectations made her feel ashamed, even though she personally did not see the pregnancy as shameful.
“You want to hide it from your parents, from the public, because people see it as a shameful thing,” she shared. “Not that I saw it that way, but it was considered ‘too early.’”
Fears of stigma and judgement
Eniola Ajao spoke openly about the emotional weight she carried during that period.
“There were times you just wanted to die,” she said. “You feel like you’ll never get married again because of the stigma.”
She pointed out that, despite knowing of others who had married young, like Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who married at 18, the community she came from expected a woman to finish school, graduate, and achieve certain goals before having children.
“I was already in Yabatech (Yaba College of Technology) when I got pregnant,” she said. “I was hiding it. Only close friends and some family members knew. You start worrying, thinking maybe you’ll never get married, and people will just label you a ‘baby mama.’ You don’t want to be stigmatised.”
Facing society’s expectations
Eniola’s story reflects the strong societal pressures placed on young Nigerian women. For many, the idea of becoming a mother outside of marriage can lead to shame, judgement, or exclusion.
She explained that even though times have changed in some ways, back then it was much harder for young women to face such challenges openly.
“Where I come from, they want you to graduate first, do a couple of things, then think about marriage and children,” she said. “But life doesn’t always follow that order.”
Motherhood at 20
Despite the fear and isolation, Eniola Ajao eventually welcomed her son in May 2002. She was just 20 years old at the time.
Looking back, the actress now speaks with strength and reflection about that period of her life. She has since built a successful career in Nollywood as both an actress and filmmaker.
Her experiences as a young mother have shaped who she is today, giving her a deep understanding of resilience, determination, and growth.
A message to young women
By sharing her story publicly, Eniola hopes to encourage other young women who may be facing similar struggles.
Her message is clear: no one’s life path is perfect, and mistakes or unexpected events do not define one’s entire future.
“You are stronger than you think,” she seemed to say between her words. “Even when it feels like the world is against you, you can rise, build your life, and chase your dreams.”
The road ahead
Eniola Ajao’s openness about her teenage pregnancy adds another layer to her public image, showing her not just as a star on screen but as a woman who has faced and overcome real-life challenges.
Her story also highlights the need for society to become more supportive of young women facing difficult situations, offering understanding rather than judgement.
As she continues her work in Nollywood, Eniola stands as an example of perseverance and growth, a reminder that early challenges do not have to stop anyone from achieving greatness.
Read Also: Bobrisky refuses female awards, blames Eniola Ajao
