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

Published

1 year ago

May 2, 2025

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.

“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?’

“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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

“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.”

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.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.