Nigerian singer Aituaje Iruobe, widely known by her stage name Waje, has recently shared a deeply personal account of her experiences as a teenage mother during an appearance on the popular podcast The Honest Bunch. In a candid and emotional interview, Waje disclosed that she became pregnant at the age of 16, a revelation that highlights the profound challenges faced by young women in similar circumstances. Her story not only underscores the societal and familial pressures surrounding unplanned pregnancies but also illustrates the resilience required to raise a child single-handedly while pursuing a career in the competitive music industry.
Waje recounted the initial secrecy surrounding her pregnancy, explaining that she concealed the news from her mother for approximately five months. This period of hiding was likely driven by fear of judgment, disappointment, or repercussions, common emotions among teenagers facing such life-altering events. Eventually, the truth came to light, prompting her mother to take decisive action. Waje described how her mother confronted the young man's family in an effort to establish paternity and secure support for the unborn child. However, the outcome was far from ideal. The young man flatly denied responsibility for the pregnancy, a denial that shifted the entire burden onto Waje and her mother.
In reflecting on this pivotal moment, Waje drew attention to cultural norms within Igbo tradition, her ethnic background. She explained, “In Igbo land, when a child is born out of wedlock, the family automatically adopts the child.” This customary practice meant that her mother stepped in without hesitation, declaring to the denying father, “Okay, since it’s not you, the child is mine now.” This adoption by the maternal family effectively severed any immediate claims the biological father might have had, placing full financial, emotional, and logistical responsibility on Waje's mother and, by extension, on Waje herself as she grew into adulthood. It paints a picture of a supportive yet strained family unit rallying to protect the young mother and her child from further instability.
Years passed, and as Waje's daughter matured, the biological father reemerged with a desire to reconnect. By this time, the child was older, and Waje had established herself as a successful artist, known for her powerful vocals and hits in the Afrobeats and soul genres. Initially, Waje was resistant to this overture, harboring resentment from the earlier abandonment. However, her priorities shifted toward her daughter's future. She eventually agreed to facilitate a relationship but imposed strict conditions. Recognizing the father's status as a Canadian citizen, Waje saw an opportunity for her daughter to access better educational and life opportunities abroad. “I told him, you’re a citizen of Canada, fight for your child. I wanted her to get the best education possible,” she stated during the interview.
To formalize any potential involvement, the discussion turned to a DNA test, a logical step to confirm paternity beyond doubt. The father agreed in principle, but procrastination set in. Waje detailed the frustrating timeline: “He agreed, and I waited and waited. Nine months passed, then years, and he still didn’t do it.” This delay not only eroded trust but also had practical consequences. In many jurisdictions, including Canada, there are legal windows for establishing paternity and pursuing citizenship or immigration benefits for children. By the time Waje's daughter reached 18 years of age, these opportunities had lapsed, rendering any belated efforts ineffective.
Waje expressed profound frustration and anger over this lost potential. “I was mad,” she admitted openly. “Because now she’s in university and I’m paying school fees in dollars. You can’t be calling me to say you want to send $200. We could have avoided all this.” Her words reveal the financial strain of single parenthood, especially when funding international education without external support. Paying university fees in foreign currency, likely U.S. dollars given the context of higher education abroad, represents a significant economic burden. The father's occasional offers of minimal assistance, such as $200, were dismissed by Waje as insufficient and tardy, highlighting a pattern of unreliability that spanned decades.
Throughout the interview, Waje emphasized that her daughter's well-being has always been her paramount concern. From the moment of pregnancy, through the challenges of early motherhood, to navigating co-parenting attempts later in life, her decisions were guided by a desire to provide the best possible opportunities. This includes not just education but emotional stability and a sense of security. Waje's journey as a teenage mother did not derail her ambitions; instead, it fueled her determination. She balanced raising her child with building a music career, releasing albums, collaborating with top artists, and becoming a voice for empowerment in Nigeria's entertainment scene.
This story resonates on multiple levels. It sheds light on the realities of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria, where cultural expectations, family structures, and economic factors intersect. According to various studies on adolescent health in Africa, early pregnancies often lead to interrupted education and increased poverty risks for young mothers, yet many, like Waje, overcome these odds through sheer grit and support systems. Her mother's role in adopting the child exemplifies the strength of extended family networks in Igbo culture, where communal responsibility can mitigate individual crises.
Moreover, Waje's experience touches on broader themes of paternal accountability and the long-term impacts of denial. The father's initial rejection and subsequent half-hearted attempts at involvement illustrate how absenteeism can perpetuate cycles of hardship. By sharing these details publicly on The Honest Bunch—a platform known for unfiltered conversations among celebrities—Waje contributes to destigmatizing discussions around single motherhood and unplanned pregnancies. It encourages other women in similar situations to prioritize their children's futures while holding others accountable.
In the end, Waje's narrative is one of triumph amid adversity. Despite the denials, delays, and financial hurdles, she has ensured her daughter is thriving in university, pursuing higher education that could open doors to a brighter future. Her story serves as an inspiration, reminding listeners that motherhood, even when it arrives unexpectedly and under challenging circumstances, can coexist with personal and professional success. Waje's openness not only humanizes her as an artist but also amplifies voices that are often silenced in conservative societies.
As the interview concluded, Waje reiterated her unwavering focus: providing her daughter with every advantage life can offer. This maternal dedication, forged in the fires of early struggles, stands as the core of her testimony. In a world quick to judge teenage mothers, Waje's account challenges stereotypes, proving that with resilience, support, and strategic decision-making, profound challenges can lead to empowering outcomes. Her words on The Honest Bunch will undoubtedly spark conversations, offering solace and motivation to countless others navigating parallel paths.
