Veteran Nigerian actress Binta Ayo Mogaji has sparked conversation with her bold advice for women over 35.
In a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, the 60-year-old actress shared her thoughts on marriage, motherhood, and the pressures society places on women.
Drawing from her own experience—she had her first child at age 40—Mogaji encouraged women who desire children to prioritize motherhood, even if it means having a child outside of wedlock.
She emphasized the importance of pursuing motherhood over waiting for societal approval, especially for single women approaching or above 35.
According to her, if a woman has someone in her life who is willing to have a child but isn’t ready for marriage, she should go ahead and have the child, even if the man doesn’t want to take responsibility.
Mogaji pointed out the challenges older women face when seeking a husband, saying, “At 35, people will tell you that you’re too old to meet their expectations, and they’ll push men to look for younger women who are more ‘obedient.’”
She continued, “Even if you do get married at that age, by the time your child is grown, you’ll already be quite old.
While others are becoming grandmothers by 45 or 50, you’re still searching for a husband. So, when will you have time to be a mother or grandmother?”
The actress concluded by advising women to embrace motherhood if they truly desire it. “If God blesses you with someone you can have a child with, go ahead, as long as you can take care of the child. And if you can’t find a man to start a family with, adoption is always an option.”