Nollywood actress Ini Edo has opened up about the emotional and ethical aspects of her surrogacy journey.
The movie star, who welcomed her daughter via surrogacy in June 2023, explained that her decision was driven by her strong desire for motherhood after experiencing multiple miscarriages, even though she was not married at the time.
Speaking at the Meet Surrogate Mothers free IVF conference, Edo emphasised that her surrogate was far more than just a carrier. She described their bond as deeply collaborative and emotionally charged, noting her active involvement in every stage – emotionally, medically, and personally.
She stressed that surrogacy should never be viewed merely as a business transaction.
“For me, the journey was intimate and not transactional. The surrogate who carried my child was not just a stranger from a nameless system. She was a woman with her own family, her own values, and dreams,” she said.
“She wasn’t just a vessel. I was involved every step of the way. Intended mothers are usually involved in prenatal care, medical decisions, and emotional bonding during pregnancy. Even though they are not physically carrying the child, they walk the journey together.”
Edo also called for stronger legal protections and urged society to approach surrogacy with empathy and transparency.
She commended recent legislative efforts in Nigeria, particularly a proposed bill by the House of Representatives to ban commercial surrogacy.
“We need a new narrative that champions ethical surrogacy grounded in informed consent, legal protection, and mutual respect,” she said.
“We need a world where no woman is exploited, but also where no family is denied hope simply because their path to parenthood is different. Surrogacy isn’t perfect – it requires regulation, transparency, and empathy. It’s not a factory. It is a bridge between despair and joy, between strangers who become families, between the impossible and the miraculous.”
She noted that the proposed bill includes provisions for banning commercial surrogacy, imposing jail terms and fines on defaulters, and ensuring surrogacy agreements remain strictly altruistic, covering only medical and pregnancy-related expenses.
Other key provisions include explicit protection against coercion or forced surrogacy arrangements.
“The Nigerian law should recognise and protect the rights of mothers through surrogacy, ensuring full legal parentage and avoiding court disputes. Surrogacy deserves respect, not stigma,” she added.
