“I Felt Like the World Was Against Me” – Eniola Ajao Opens Up About Getting Pregnant at 20
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“I Felt Like the World Was Against Me” – Eniola Ajao Opens Up About Getting Pregnant at 20
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Eniola Ajao has opened up about the emotional toll of becoming a mother at just 20, shedding light on the stigma surrounding early pregnancy in her community.
During a candid conversation on the Talk To B podcast, Ajao shared the personal challenges she faced, revealing how deeply societal expectations influenced her experience as a young, unmarried mother.
According to her, pregnancy outside of marriage was frowned upon where she grew up, leading to anxiety, fear of rejection and concerns about being stereotyped.
“You know things are not what they used to be before now. Ladies at my age, then, their parents were always skeptical about not being exposed to so many things that were going on during that time,” she said.
“Having to get pregnant at 20 was a bit dramatic; you just feel like the whole world is coming against you. You probably want to kill yourself or die at some point, and you would probably not be able to get married again.
“So you want to hide it from your parents and the public. At that time, it was considered a thing of shame. Not that it was a thing of shame for me, but it was considered to be early.
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“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. I was already in Yabatech when it happened.
“Thinking that probably you may not get married, somebody calling you a baby mama, and you do not want to get stigmatised. Just close friends and family members knew about it.”
Ajao also pointed out that although society is evolving, the rigid expectations around career, education and the right time to start a family still shape how many young women are judged.
Her story has resonated with many fans online who praised her bravery and vulnerability in speaking about a topic often considered taboo.
