Motherhood and marriage are different decisions

Nigerian Omawumi has shared her views on motherhood, marriage, and setting personal boundaries, saying women should never feel pressured into marriage because of pregnancy.

The singer recalled becoming pregnant just months into her relationship with her husband and choosing to take her time despite pressure from family.

“We didn’t really know each other,” she said. “So I said, let’s take our time. If marriage will happen, it will happen.”

She explained that having a child and deciding to marry are separate choices.

“To keep the baby is a different decision. To marry the man is a different decision,” Omawumi stated.

The singer also opened up about how motherhood changed her personality, making her more careful about how others felt, sometimes at her own expense.

“I became softer and more concerned about people’s feelings,” she said. “But I later asked myself, what do I want?”

According to Omawumi, learning to speak up for herself was necessary, even if it meant being seen as selfish.

“Sometimes selflessness makes you become someone you don’t like,” she said. “You are not being selfish. You’re being self-full.”

She encouraged young women not to rush into marriage and to prioritise their personal readiness.

“If you’re not ready to marry, don’t marry,” she said.