‘IT DOESN’T MAKE YOU LESS OF A MOTHER’: Singer Waje Reveals Shock of Teenage Pregnancy in SS3, Lauds Family’s Crucial Support

Award-winning Nigerian soul and pop singer, Aituaje Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, has revisited one of the most personal chapters of her life, opening up about the profound challenges and ultimate triumphs of navigating teenage pregnancy and subsequent single motherhood early in her career.

The singer’s candid reflection, highlighted in reports today, Monday, November 3, 2025, provides a powerful narrative on resilience against social stigma. Waje revealed that she became pregnant with her daughter, Emerald, while she was still a teenager in Secondary School 3 (SS3).

She spoke about the immense fear and shame that initially drove her to conceal the pregnancy from her family, particularly her mother. “I was terrified. I was afraid of the judgment and what it would mean for my future,” she confessed in the interview. She later revealed that the news led to temporary sanctions from her church choir, where she was an active member, due to the stigma attached to having a child outside of wedlock.

The Power of Family Support

Waje credits the unwavering love and support from her mother as the singular most crucial factor that enabled her to overcome the difficulties of raising a child while still a teenager herself. She noted that her mother’s decision to stand by her was instrumental in allowing her to continue her education and pursue her music career, which eventually launched her to national stardom.

Her message was direct and empowering for young women facing similar circumstances. The singer firmly declared that being a single mother, while demanding, “doesn’t make you any less of a mother.” Her continued success, alongside the well-adjusted life of her daughter, Emerald, who is now an adult, stands as a vibrant testament to her hard-fought journey.

The star’s decision to share these intimate details underscores her advocacy for women’s empowerment and responsible parenting, turning her personal narrative into a source of inspiration and de-stigmatization for single mothers across the country.