Veteran Nollywood actress Binta Ayo Mogaji has stirred heated debate with a message to women over 40.
In a recently resurfaced interview on Oyinmomo TV, Mogaji urged unmarried and childless women not to wait for marriage before embracing motherhood.
Speaking in Yoruba, the 61-year-old actress said: “If you are 40 and unmarried, and you see a man that likes and can impregnate you, get pregnant.
Mogaji explained her advice was for women who truly desire to experience motherhood and have the means to raise a child.
“That is, if you desire to have a child and you can train the child, let nothing stop you,” she insisted.
She stressed that time was no longer on their side.
“Some ladies by 45 or 50 have become grannies,” she said with concern. “You are still waiting to get married. When will you get married? When will you give birth? When will you also become a grandmother in your lifetime?”
She Speaks from Lived Experience
Mogaji, a respected figure in Nollywood, is not new to unconventional choices.
She had a son with actor Jibola Dabo before marrying ex-footballer Victor Ayodele Oduleye in 2006.
The marriage ended in 2024 after 13 years, which she said was due to abuse.
Now, as a mother and single woman again, she believes societal expectations shouldn’t block women from finding fulfilment.
“Once it gets to that stage, I advise that if you find someone with whom you have mutual feelings and you agree on birthing a child, go ahead,” she said.
The resurfaced video has since gone viral, igniting arguments about culture, morality, and women’s reproductive choices in Nigeria.
While some praise Mogaji for her candour, others say her view undermines family structure and tradition.
But for many women still waiting for “the right time,” her words may hit differently.
A Brief History of Binta Mogaji
A veteran Nigerian actress born in 1964 in Ibadan, Oyo State. She’s renowned for her extensive work in over 800 films, TV shows, and theatre productions. Here are some key facts about her:
Early Life: Born to an Islamic cleric father and an education administrator mother, Mogaji’s background is a unique blend of faith and learning.
Career: She began her acting career in the 1970s and gained recognition for her captivating roles in Yoruba films. Some notable works include “Igbalandogi”, “Mojere”, “Owo Blow” (1997), and “The Bridge” (2017).
Awards and Recognition: Mogaji won the “Best Actress” award at the REEL Awards and has been praised for her remarkable professionalism.
Personal Life: She’s married to Victor Ayodele Oduleye, a retired soccer player and physiotherapist. Before marriage, she had a son with actor Jibola Dabo and later had two more children with her husband.
Motherhood Story: Mogaji shared her struggles with conceiving, including an ectopic pregnancy that led to the removal of one of her fallopian tubes. Despite this, she gave birth to her son at 40, defying expectations.
Some of her notable films include:
Yoruba Films:
- “Igbalandogi”
- “Mojere”
- “Owo Blow” (1997)
- “Ti Oluwa Nile” (1992)
Recent Works:
- “The Bridge” (2017)
- “Kasanova” (2019)
- “Diamonds In The Sky” (2019)
- “My Village People” (2021)
- “Man of God” (2022)
- “Mikolo” (2023)
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