Connect with us

News

VIDEO: ‘I Have Zero Regrets,’ Adichie Slams Shame Around Fertility Issues, Defends Ethical Surrogacy

Published

on

Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has spoken about her decision to welcome twin sons via surrogacy, addressing the public reaction and societal pressures surrounding non-traditional paths to motherhood.

Speaking during the #WithChude Live talk hosted by media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Adichie expressed disappointment over the way her personal decision became politicised online, stating that she chose to be transparent about the surrogacy to counter harmful narratives that could pressure other women.

She said, “There are certain things you cannot hide, you cannot hide the existence of two perfect human beings. People just went off with this thing, ‘She’s 47, she’s had babies,’ and I don’t like to lie about things that can be consequential for other people.

Advertisement

“I felt that there were many women who would then be pressured by people and be told ‘Look she’s 47 and she had twins, what about you?’

READ ALSO: Canada I Moved To In 2013 Isn’t Quite The Same Today – Nigerian Man Bids Goodbye

“A viewer said to me that I looked so fantastic for someone who just had babies and I’m not going to say oh, thank you because that’s a lie so I said ‘Well, they were born by a surrogate,’ and apparently, I hear that there was a bit of noise about that.

Advertisement

“My boys are so precious to me, and I hated that anything about them would become politicised – so on the one hand I wished I hadn’t talked about it but on the other hand there is no way I am going to lie and claim that I have babies that I didn’t birth myself.”

Speaking about the stigma surrounding fertility challenges, Adichie said, “I think there is so much shame around issues of fertility, that I just think it’s too much of a burden for women.

“Women are ashamed when they have fibroids, women are ashamed when they have trouble getting pregnant, and I don’t believe in that sort of shame.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Army, Tompolo’s Men Uncover Revamped Oil-bunkering Camps In Imo

She also responded to critics who view surrogacy as dehumanising and acknowledged that it can be done responsibly.

They think that you cannot rent a woman’s body, they argue that it’s dehumanising. I think it can be, but I think it matters how it’s done. It can be done ethically.

Advertisement

“Also, the same people will say that a woman can do whatever she wants with her body. There’s a contradiction there… that was what all the noise was all about,” she said.

Despite the backlash, Adichie said she had no regrets and emphasised the joy her children have brought her.

She said, “I am hoping that if anything good comes out of this, it would be that more women will feel less ashamed of talking about reaching motherhood through non-traditional means.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Gunrunner, Recover AK47 Rifle, Others In Kaduna

“There are other women who have babies by surrogates but they sort of go and hide for nine months or people who adopt babies and they go and hide because our society is so judgemental, and I don’t think that that is good for anybody.

“I think my daughter and my babies are the greatest gifts I’ve been given, so, zero regrets.”

Advertisement

PUNCH Online reported in February that Adichie revealed she gave birth to twin boys in 2024, adding to her family, including her nine-year-old daughter, stating that she was always cautious about revealing too much, particularly when it came to her family.

She also expressed her commitment to raising her twin sons with values that promote gender equality and respect for women.

Watch videos below:

Advertisement

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1918228943553048931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1918228943553048931%7Ctwgr%5E4f25395c4fa259a1e9d03c3844764cc15ec9a945%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpunchng.com%2Fvideo-i-have-zero-regrets-adichie-slams-shame-around-fertility-issues-defends-ethical-surrogacy%2F

Advertisement
Comments

News

Bauchi Govt Sanctions 4 Senior Officers For Gross Misconduct

Published

on

The Bauchi state Civil Service Commission (CSC) has sanctioned four senior officers for gross misconduct in the discharge of their service.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Friday by Mr Saleh Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi state Civil Service Commission.

According to him, the decision, which was made during the Commission’s plenary session, was in its continued effort to sanitise the State’s Civil Service.

Advertisement

He listed the names of the officers that were sanctioned to include; Garba Hussaini, a Director, Education and former Provost, Haruna Umar, a Deputy Director, Administration and Human Resources.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Others included; Umar Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer (Account)- Bursar and Mohammed Usman, Chief Clerical Officer – Cashier, all attached to Bill and Melinda Gate College of Health Sciences Technology in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

Advertisement

Umar explained that the interdicted officers have been placed on 50 per cent of their salaries with effect from 28th October, 2025 until the end of the full investigation.

The Commission’s decision was taken to allow further investigation into the allegations laid against the officers.

“The Officers were found guilty of misconduct that contradict Bauchi State Public Service Regulations – 0327 (x) and (xxii) and interdicted under rules 0329 (i), (ii) and (iii) to further distance them from their duty posts for seamless and smooth investigation.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

“In a light-hearted part, the Commission has promoted 21 officers to their next grades of Deputy Chief Librarian, Assistant Chief Librarians and Principal Librarians to grade levels 15, 14, 13, 12 and 10 respectively.

“Others were Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Chief Confidential Secretary on grade levels 13 and 14,” said Umar.

Advertisement

The Public Relations Officer added that Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chairman of the Commission, reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the rules of law under his watch.

He noted that while promising to continue to uphold integrity, transparency and fairness in the commission, the Chairman also expressed dismay over the nonchalant attitude of some Civil Servants not knowing the disciplinary procedures in civil service and its consequences.

Chairman also called on all workers to be conversant with the do and don’t in carrying out their assignments to avoid unnecessary offense,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Don’t Take Law Into Your Hands – NYSC Warns Corps Members

Published

on

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned all corps members serving their fatherland not to take laws into their own hands during and after their service year.

Mr Umoren Kufre, the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC gave the warning during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ stream 1 corps members at the state’s NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

“I urge you to obey all the rules and regulations governing the NYSC. In case you notice any irregularity, do not take the laws into your hands.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:NYSC Deploys 1,900 Corps Members To Bauchi State

“Always ensure that you follow the proper channel of communication to express your grievances.

“Let me assure you again that management will ensure that the basic amenities you need in the camp are provided for you. Your safety and comfort remains our utmost priority,” he said.

Advertisement

Kofre, who explained that a total of 2,050 corps members were posted to the state for the one year compulsory service, said there has not been any serious problem since the commencement of the course and the prospective corps members were participating actively in all camp activities.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his continuous support to the scheme in the state as well as the complete renovation of Corps Members hostels and the construction of a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

READ ALSO: PDP NWC Suspends Legal Adviser, Anyanwu, Others Amid Convention Crisis

Advertisement

The NYSC boss, however, called on the governor to help them rebuild the part of the camp perimeter fence that collapsed about a year ago.

Declaring the orientation camp exercises open, Gov. Bala Mohammed urged the corp members to take the lead and advocate for national development and transformation.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, the State’s Head of Service, Mohammed called on them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieving the scheme’s objectives of national unity and development.

Advertisement

While administering the oath of allegiance, Justice Rabi Umar, the Chief Judge of the state who was represented by Abdullahi Yau, Deputy Registrar, High Court of Justice, charged the corps members to maintain law and order towards the peaceful orientation exercises

Continue Reading

News

17 Nigerian States Implementing CPS As PenCom Assets Rise To Over N26trn

Published

on

The National Pension Commission hassaid only 17 Nigerian states are currently implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme as its assets rose to over N26 trillion in September 2025.

Ms Omolola Oloworaran disclosed this during an event in Benin, Edo State.

Oloworaran, who was represented by the Commission’s Inspectorate Commissioner, Chief Samuel Chigozie Uwandu, stressed that CPS plays a vital role in national economic development.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

According to her, CPS has evolved beyond a retirement policy and has become a symbol of a national shift towards financial discipline and long-term planning.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Friday morning ‎
Oloworaran noted that the scheme illustrates “a decisive break from past dependencies on state-provided old-age financial security to a new culture of retirement savings and forward planning.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:

A contract between the worker and the employer, with the assurance that a lifetime of labour would be rewarded with financial security in old age.”

“Seventeen states out of the 36 states in the country are currently implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme. Twelve states have not started at all, while seven states are at various stages of establishing their pension bureaux.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending