Nigerian singer Waje, recently revealed on the Honest Bunch podcast that she got pregnant at the age of 16.
She recounted, “I was 16 when I got pregnant and I didn’t tell my mum till I was about five months gone.” When they approached the father’s family, he denied responsibility, insisting, “It’s not him, it’s not him,” making it his word against hers.
At some point, he returned and expressed remorse, saying, “I was young, I wasn’t quite mature then but now I would love to meet my daughter. I’m sorry Vivian but this child needs to know who her dad is.” Waje initially resisted, clarifying that her hesitation wasn’t due to bitterness as she was in a stable relationship at the time. She explained that when single parents restrict access to the other parent, it is often because that person could destabilize the child’s life.
Eventually, Waje agreed but set conditions. She told him, “You are a citizen in Canada so file for your child,” noting that her daughter wasn’t interested in citizenship at the time. They agreed on a DNA test, but he delayed the process, and she never heard from him around 2015.
Waje, celebrated for her inspiring career in the Nigerian music industry and advocacy for women and youth empowerment, shared her story on the Honest Bunch podcast to highlight the challenges of teenage pregnancy and single parenthood, emphasizing resilience and determination.