Nigerian actress Mercy Aigbe recently opened up about the challenges she has faced as a single mother, expressing that she does not wish single motherhood on anyone.

In a recent episode of the Real Talk with Kike show, Mercy spoke candidly about her personal experience raising children on her own. The Ada Omo Daddy star had previously attracted attention for admitting she was strict with her kids during their upbringing.

Mercy explained that single motherhood is difficult because it requires one person to take on two roles. She described the journey as far from easy and shared that she often prays for her children to have enduring relationships. “I don’t wish single motherhood on anybody,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll it takes.

She said: “For me, raising a child as a single mum… shout out to all the single mums out there, you guys are heroes, It’s not easy playing the role of two people. I am very sensitive when I talk about my single mother moment because it wasn’t an easy journey.

That’s why anytime I pray for Michelle, I pray for other kids around me that I nurture, that are not my biological kids but they are still my kids. I say to them, especially the girls, that life happens. A lot of us didn’t set out to be like this in terms of our love life but life happens and we hope for the best for our kids. I always tell my children that your first time will be your forever. Because I don’t wish it on anybody, it’s draining.”

Mercy also revealed that her sternness with her children was largely driven by a fear of failing as a mother. Having already experienced what she viewed as failure in her role as a single parent, she didn’t want to repeat that with her kids.

She explained: “I think part of what made me very tough on my kids is that I just didn’t want to fail as a mother because I had failed at this, I didn’t want to fail as a mother. I didn’t even want them to make mistakes, not realising it was part of their life’s journey, I was pushing hard and not giving them a chance to be who they want to be and make errors to gain correction from their errors. I didn’t want people to laugh at me and say a single mum raised them, they can’t do anything good. It’s so draining that financially, emotionally, morally, and mentally you still have to show up,” she said.

Mercy Aigbe’s openness sheds light on the complex emotional and practical challenges single mothers face while raising their children.

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