Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has stirred conversation with her bold perspective on balancing family life and career, suggesting that women should focus on having children before marriage to enhance their professional success.

In a recent interview with Nollywood On Radio, Bakare encouraged career-driven single women to embrace motherhood at an early age if they aim for lasting achievement in their careers. Drawing from her own life experiences, she expressed that marriage is not a prerequisite for starting a family.

“If you aspire to be a superstar and successful in your career, I recommend having children early,” she stated. “This approach allows you to dedicate the latter part of your life to advancing your career, as the family aspect is crucial.”

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Bakare acknowledged that early marriage can sometimes lead to divorce, which is why she emphasized the importance of beginning a family instead. “I should clarify that my advice doesn’t necessarily advocate for early marriage; I simply mean starting a family. When I had my first child, my focus was solely on wanting a baby,” she explained.

She further elaborated that her recommendation is not about rushing into marriage but about embracing motherhood, highlighting the importance of having children.

Recently, Bakare found herself at odds with fellow actress Eniola Badmus, who misinterpreted her advice as a jab at her own childlessness. “When I ran into Eniola, we attempted to resolve our disagreement, and she mentioned I had called her childless,” Bakare recounted. “I clarified that I was referring to starting a family, not marriage. It’s about having children without the necessity of being married.”

Echoing similar sentiments, actress Ayo Mogaji advised unmarried women over 35 to consider having children outside of marriage if they wish to become mothers.

Bakare was previously married to Olumide Okunfulure, a businessman based in the United States, with whom she shares a daughter named Simi. She is also the mother of two sons from her second marriage to Mutairu Orilowo, though the current status of that relationship remains undisclosed.