Over the decades, the developments of technology have been undeniable and evident in every area of life, making many processes incredibly smooth and easy. The evidence of technological advancements has also simplified the process through which children are born.
IVF, In Vitro Fertilization is a medical process in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized egg, called an embryo, is then returned to a woman’s womb to grow and develop.
This technique has helped several people who have faced fertility issues conceive with ease.
In this article, we will take a look at all the Nigerian celebrities who opted for this process and their reasons.
1. Ufuoma McDermott
In 2018, 0 year-old actress, director, and former model Ufuoma Stacey McDermott disclosed that she had her first child whom she welcomed on the 10th of October, 2012 through IVF exactly two and a half years after her marriage.
In an Instagram post, she encouraged women who are facing challenges with childbearing to overlook fear and shame and have their babies either via surrogacy or IVF saying
“DO NOT DENY YOURSELF… If you so desire, the joy of #motherhood.
My son was born EXACTLY 2 And a half years after we got married. I wanted to wait. My husband obliged.
When we were ready, I wanted twins. #IVF was the choice. We could afford it.
I had two embryos inserted. God decided Isio would stay. On the 10th of October 2012, my beautiful #IVFBaby was delivered by C-section. ❤
SO WHAT????? This post is for all of you keyboard cowards trying to downplay and devalue the joys of a child’s arrival into a new “world” whether it’s by #Surrogacy#Adoption #ArtificialInsemination#DonorSperm #DonorEgg #DonorEmbryo#GIFT Gamete intrafallopian transfer #ZIFTZygote intrafallopian transfer … You are just illiterate chickens.
And to my fine women and men out there who wish on parenthood, there are options. Speak to your doctor and don’t let any illiterate chicken in society stop you from pouring all that love onto a child no matter what method you decide on.
#TheArrivalOfAChildHeraldsJoy
Our society needs to wake up and appreciate the knowledge God has bestowed on doctors and medical practitioners.
#InternationalChildrensDay was yesterday, but I choose to celebrate all our children every day.”
2. Ini Edo
Ini Edo, a seasoned veteran actress in an episode of the reality TV show “Young African and Fmaouse” opened up on her struggles with infertility and revealed that she had suffered over 6 miscarriages and numerous failed IVF procedures.
The presently 0 year-old actress shared that her marriage to US-based businessman Philip Ehiagwina which ended in 2014 took a different turn due to fertility issues and after failed attempts, her last resort was IVF so she could fulfill her dreams of becoming a mother.
She said “My journey is one that I have not really wanted to talk about because it is personal. I went through surrogacy. I never thought I would be someone who would have fertility issues.
“But I have had issues carrying pregnancies long-term, and it looked like it was not going to happen the way I wanted it to. So, this option came and I took it.
“I got married at the age of 26 because I thought by 31, I would have been done with childbearing and would be retired to focus on my career. But life did not pan out that way. I have had over six miscarriages. I do not like to go into it. I tried. It was not a fancy way out for me. I have always wanted to do this. I have had IVF. I know what I have dealt with as a woman.”
3. Nike Oshinowo
Born Adenike Asabi Oshinowo, Nike is a Nigerian entrepreneur, former Miss Nigeria, and TV host.
She had a set of twins in the United States via a gestational surrogate, a process where another person carries and delivers a child for another couple or person.
Nike has a medical condition called endometrium — a disorder that occurs when the endometrium (cells lining the uterus) grows in other areas of the body, causing excruciating pain.
Nike shared: “I was out of my marriage and I was lying in bed, talking to my God.”Okay, so, here I am, is this what you want for me? Please tell me the next step. What am I supposed to do now? And I fell asleep. As I slept, I felt a tug on the bedding and I opened my eyes, there is nothing and so I look at the bottom of my bed to see a little child tugging at the bottom of my duvet. It was a little girl so I carried her, put her on my bed and she played while I slept. She would always come in my sleep and play and then I would put her on my bed, we would play and then we would sleep. The one day I thought ‘This little girl I keep seeing in my dreams, maybe I can have a child. Maybe it is God’s way of telling me its time. I take my iPad while lying in bed and I start surfing the net all the while thinking I have Endometriosis. I literally typed in Google search ‘what is the best way to have a child if you have extreme Endometriosis? I hit search and it came out!”
4. Stephanie Coker
Stephanie Coker, currently 0 years old, is a dynamic on-air personality (OAP) and TV presenter for MTV Base Africa and Ebony Life TV.
The media personality disclosed that she had a severe case of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which according to her daughter was life-threatening hence her decision to opt for IVF.
“I believe one has to seek God when one is on a fertility journey. I managed to get through it with the support of family, friends, and others who had experienced failed cycles. Their support was instrumental in helping me overcome that state of mind.
“I haven’t seen many women speak about their fertility and hormonal issues. I wanted to use my platform to show young girls that they are not alone, to share my journey, and to give women strength because so many of them are going through health issues they can’t talk about.”
She acknowledged the support of her husband and friends who had gone through the process for their support and encouragement to share her story.
5. Biola Adebayo
Actress and producer, Biola Adebayo who had her first child in her forties announced on social media on April 11, 2023 that she had just been blessed with a son through their surrogate mum after one failed IVF, one canceled surrogate circle and three failed surrogate attempts.
She said “After one failed IVF, one cancelled surrogate circle, three failed surrogate attempts in two years, God has finally blessed my husband and I with a great son through our surrogate mum.
“Through it all, God has been so good to us, and we’re grateful for this great testimony. Thank you, Abba Father. God bless our doctors; God bless our surrogate mum. It’s a new dawn. Welcome to the world, Baby TA.”
6. Nancy Umeh
Registered nurse, public health consultant, and older sister of popular Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi had her third child through surrogacy after a seven year long battle with secondary infertility.
Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance or trouble.
In an Instagram post, the chef shared a video encapsulating the process of the childbirth. She said she opted for surrogacy because she battled “secondary infertility” for seven years after the birth of her last child.
Umeh, overwhelmed with excitement, appreciated her surrogacy agency for the support. She also thanked the surrogate who she described as “an angel”.
7. Dayo Amusa
Nigerian actress, singer, and TV personality, Dayo Amusa had her first child in November, 2024, after struggles with infertility and failed IVFs.
On post on Instagram on New Year’s Eve, 2024, Amusa, who welcomed her son Oluwafirewamiri Abdulrasheed in November 2024, said she couldn’t let the year end without sharing her testimony.
In her post, she revealed the challenges she passed through in her journey to motherhood, including three miscarriages and a diagnosis of uterine myomatosis in 2015, which threatened her ability to conceive.
Despite always appearing outwardly happy, Amusa revealed she spent many years battling depression in silence.
Amusa has kept the paternity and means through which the child was had under wraps and reported that during TikTok lives, the actress fired at critic’s questioning the paternity of the child saying she’s not obliged to disclose the identity of her child’s father.
