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Nollywood actress Ini Edo has shared a deeply personal account of her journey to motherhood through surrogacy, urging for greater public understanding, legal clarity, and empathy toward what she described as a “profound expression of humanity.”
Speaking at the Meet Surrogate Mothers IVF Conference held in Lagos, Ini Edo called for a shift in societal perception, stressing that surrogacy should not be reduced to the term “baby factory” but instead be recognised as “a bridge between hope and fulfillment.”
“She wasn’t just a vessel,” the actress said, referring to the woman who carried her child. “I was involved every step of the way — from prenatal care and medical decisions to emotional bonding during the pregnancy. Surrogacy is not simply about a woman carrying a child for another. It’s about two women walking a path together.”
Ini Edo emphasized that intended mothers are active participants in the parenting journey, regardless of whether they physically carry the child.
“Even though they are not physically carrying this child, they sort of walk the journey together. So when people reduce surrogacy to being just a baby factory, I think they erase these layers of humanity,” she explained. “They overlook the safeguards, the ethics, the choice. They forget that love can take many forms, and sometimes the most profound acts of love come from someone who carries your child but doesn’t raise them. Someone who lends her body so another can cry in the future.”
Addressing the legal dimension of surrogacy in Nigeria, the actress voiced her support for recent legislative efforts by the House of Representatives to ban commercial surrogacy and promote altruistic arrangements.
“Talking about regulation, I was happy to recently read in the news that the House of Representatives moved to ban commercial surrogacy in Nigeria,” she said. “Further propose a jail term and a N2 million fine on culprits. Other key provisions of the bill include banning commercial surrogacy. The agreement must be strictly altruistic. No financial profit is involved except for reimbursing medical and pregnancy-related expenses.”
She stressed the need for legal recognition of mothers through surrogacy and protection for all parties involved: “We need legal protection and clarity. Nigerian law should recognise and protect the rights of mothers through surrogacy, ensuring full legal parentage and avoiding court disputes.”
Ini Edo also condemned the stigma often attached to non-traditional paths to parenthood, affirming that biology should not be the sole measure of motherhood.
“Surrogacy deserves respect, not stigma. It’s a modern solution to infertility. Just like IVF or adoption, it should not be shamed or seen as less than traditional motherhood,” she stated. “Motherhood is more than biology. Raising, nurturing, and loving a child defines motherhood, not just childbirth. A surrogate may carry the baby, but the intended mother gives the child a home and a life.”
Reflecting on her own experience, she described surrogacy as the journey that brought her the most important gift of her life — her child.
“Nothing gives me more joy than my child. Surrogacy gave me the greatest gift, but more importantly, it taught me that family isn’t defined by biology or tradition. It’s defined by love, sacrifice, and unwavering belief,” she said.
In a message directed at others considering surrogacy or walking similar paths, Ini Edo offered encouragement and a plea for compassion.
“As someone who has walked this path, I only ask, before we judge, let us listen. Before we generalise, let us understand. And before we speak of surrogacy as a business, let us see it for what it can be — a profound expression of humanity. To anyone walking a similar path, know there’s no wrong way to become a parent.”
She concluded with a moving reflection: “My journey to motherhood looks different. It was unconventional. It was complicated. But it was also courageous. It was filled with grace, grit, and, above all, love. It didn’t make me any less of a mother. If anything, it made me more aware of the power of faith and more attuned to the miracle of life.”
“If you take nothing from my story, please take this: Sometimes, the path to your dream doesn’t come in packages that you expect. But if you dare to trust the journey — even through messy, uncertain, heartbreaking paths — you might find yourself holding a miracle you once thought was out of reach.”
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#Surrogacy
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