“Pregnancy Is a Blessing, Not a Burden” – Woli Arole Questions Growing Trend of Non-Medical Surrogacy

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Woli Arole, has stirred conversation online after criticising the increasing trend of women choosing surrogacy for non-medical reasons, describing it as a deviation from divine design influenced by modern-day “wokeness.”

The comedian’s comments come in the wake of a viral video posted by Nigerian media personality Ife, who revealed that she is choosing to have her babies through surrogacy, not because of infertility, but simply because she does not want to go through the stress of pregnancy. In the video, Ife stated that her decision was spiritually guided, insisting that “God has ordained it.”

While surrogacy, IVF, and adoption are life-changing options for women with medical complications, Arole argued that opting for these alternatives without necessity undermines the natural and spiritual significance of childbearing.

 “Listen carefully. It is a blessing for a woman to carry her baby in her womb. That’s how God wants it. Don’t let wokeness derail you,” he said in an Instagram post shared Tuesday. “Unless there’s a medical reason, don’t opt out of carrying your own child just because you don’t feel like it.”

He went on to challenge the popular phrase “my body, my decision,” urging women to view their bodies as sacred.

 “You can’t say, ‘I don’t feel like carrying a child, I want surrogacy.’ No! Your body is God’s temple. Surrogacy is not something you just choose because of convenience. There’s a reason God gave you a womb.”

Arole’s comments have sparked a divided response on social media. While some users applauded him for defending traditional values and honouring the spiritual role of motherhood, others criticised his stance as judgmental and dismissive of women’s autonomy.

The debate reflects a broader societal tension between evolving personal choices and traditional beliefs around family, faith, and womanhood. As more Nigerian women explore alternative routes to motherhood—whether out of necessity or preference—the conversation around what it means to be a mother, and how culture and faith intersect with reproductive choices, is far from over.