Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has opened up about her protective approach to raising her daughter, Priscilla Ojo, explaining that her own past experience has influenced the way she looks out for her child.
Iyabo reportedly said she became particularly protective of Priscilla when she went to university. According to the actress, she maintained close communication with her daughter and made arrangements to ensure she was not left alone in potentially uncomfortable situations.
“When she went to university, she asked, ‘Mum, don’t you trust me?’” Iyabo reportedly recalled.
The actress explained that she would make sure Priscilla contacted her before leaving school and that a staff member accompanied her.
Iyabo also revealed that she was especially cautious about leaving her daughter alone with men, linking her protective instincts to a traumatic experience she said she personally survived.
“I never leave her with a man because I’m a rape survivor,” she reportedly said.
Her comments have prompted discussions online about parenting, personal trauma and the ways difficult experiences can influence how parents protect their children.
Some social media users praised Iyabo for being open about her experience and for taking her daughter’s safety seriously, while others debated the balance between protecting young adults and allowing them independence.
Priscilla, who is now an adult and has built her own career and public profile, has previously shared aspects of her relationship with her mother and family life.
Iyabo’s revelation has nevertheless offered a more personal explanation for the close attention she has paid to her daughter’s safety over the years.
The actress’s comments have also highlighted the importance of conversations around personal boundaries, safety and support for survivors of sexual violence.
