NIGERIA: Waje Opens Up on Teenage Pregnancy and the Pain of Raising a Child Alone

By Ameenat Hamzat,  Lagos, Nigeria 

Nigerian singer Aituaje Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, has opened up about her experience as a teenage mother, revealing that she became pregnant at 16 years old and had to raise her child alone after the father denied responsibility.

The award-winning vocalist shared her story during an emotional appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, in an episode released on Monday.

Waje noted; “I was 16. I didn’t tell my mom till about five months,” recalling how difficult it was to come to terms with the pregnancy at such a young age.

The singer explained that her mother was devastated but took full responsibility after the father of the child denied paternity.

“My mom had gone to his family and said, okay, so your son and my daughter… and he was like, no, it’s not him,” she recounted.

According to Waje, her mother’s support became her strength during that period. She noted that under Igbo custom, a child born out of wedlock belongs to the woman’s family, and her mother stood by her through the storm.

Years later, the man reportedly resurfaced, claiming he wanted to reconnect with his daughter. “At some point he came back and he was like, I was young… I want to meet my daughter,” Waje said, adding that he claimed to be living in Canada at the time.

However, she expressed hesitation about letting him back into their lives, citing concerns about his stability.

“Many times when fathers or mothers are protecting their child, it’s because you already know that this person is not stable. This person can come and destabilise the life of the child,” she stated.

Waje also revealed that she placed firm conditions on any possible reconciliation, particularly regarding her daughter’s education.

“I had always said that my daughter would get the best education that I can afford. So I told him, you are a citizen, fight for your child,” she said.

The conversation between both parties reportedly led to discussions about a DNA test, but according to the singer, the man never followed through.

“He asked me to send him her hair. I said no, that is not how it is done. We will choose the place. And I waited and waited and I never heard from him,” she said.

Waje further explained that the prolonged delay affected the possibility of her daughter obtaining immigration benefits, as she later turned 18. “She turned 18 and you can’t file for a child at 18,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Waje said she worked hard to give her daughter a good life. She eventually enrolled her at Middlesex University, paying her fees in dollars to fulfil her dream of providing the best education possible.