Surrogacy, once a subject shrouded in mystery and stigma, is steadily gaining acceptance in Nigeria, particularly among celebrities who have openly shared their journeys toward parenthood through assisted reproductive technologies like surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Below are six Nigerian celebrities who embraced surrogacy to welcome their children:
1. Ini Edo
Actress Ini Edo made waves in December 2021 when she revealed she had welcomed a daughter via surrogacy. The actress shared that her decision stemmed from personal and medical reasons. “It is a choice I made for my peace of mind and my baby’s well-being,” she said in an interview. Despite facing criticism, Ini expressed gratitude for the opportunity to experience motherhood on her terms.
Ini also disclosed that she froze some of her eggs to keep the option open for future children. Recently, she opened up about her infertility struggles, revealing she had endured over six miscarriages and multiple failed IVF attempts before becoming a mother.
2. Abiola Adebayo
Actress Abiola Adebayo and her husband became parents to a baby boy via surrogacy in 2023. While announcing their child’s birth, Abiola detailed the struggles she and her husband faced trying to conceive naturally. Their decision to turn to surrogacy came after years of battling infertility, a journey she described as emotionally and physically challenging.
3. Ufuoma McDermott
In 2012, actress Ufuoma McDermott welcomed her first child, Isio, through IVF. Speaking about the experience in 2018, she encouraged women struggling with infertility to set aside fear and explore assisted reproduction methods like IVF or surrogacy to achieve their dream of motherhood.
4. Nike Osinowo
Former beauty queen and entrepreneur Nike Osinowo embraced surrogacy at the age of 48 to fulfill her dream of motherhood. In 2013, she welcomed twin children via surrogacy after battling endometriosis for years, a condition known to cause infertility.
5. Stephanie Coker
Media personality and actress Stephanie Coker welcomed her first child through IVF in Los Angeles in 2019. Describing the process as “traumatic and crazy,” Stephanie’s experience shed light on the emotional toll of assisted reproduction. In June 2024, she revealed she had battled suicidal thoughts after a failed IVF attempt for a second child, further opening up the conversation about the mental health challenges tied to infertility.
6. Nancy Umeh
Celebrity chef Nancy Umeh and her husband welcomed their third child via surrogacy in 2024. Nancy, who is also the sister of popular dancer Korra Obidi, shared that she turned to surrogacy after battling secondary infertility for seven years following the birth of her last child. Secondary infertility refers to the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance.
