Seyi Awolowo: My Father Disowned Me Multiple Times

By Aisha Dahuwa

Seyi Awolowo, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV former housemate, has opened up about his difficult childhood in a polygamous family.

Seyi, who is the grandson of the late Nigerian nationalist Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who played a key role in Nigeria’s independence movement, spoke during an interview with Chude Jideonwo.

He revealed that his father, who had three wives, disowned him multiple times, leaving him feeling disconnected and unloved.

The late Obafemi Awolowo’s grandson said his father kept detailed files on each child.

“My father disowned me a couple of times. He married three wives and kept detailed files on each of his children, reducing our identities to mere names on a list.

“My father wrote letters to cut off his children, reducing our identities to mere names on a list. We all have files. ‘As of right now, your name is just Seyi, full stop’,” he said.

Meanwhile, Seyi revealed earlier this year that he may likely follow in his granddad’s political footsteps.

Speaking on Channels TV’s ‘The Morning Brief’, he said with the situation of things in the country, he might be tempted to become a politician.

He said: “To be honest I would have loved not to get into politics but with the way it seems in the country, it is as if I might have to. I would not lie, I would just have liked to enjoy and be on the backbone of entertainment.

“I mean I have a family that I am looking forward to growing in this country, I am not trying to ‘japa’. I want to experience Nigeria, let them experience Nigeria the way I experienced Nigeria.

“You know, being able to enjoy the full 36 states, go anywhere you want to, interact with any kind of tribe, or interact with anybody. Just be a Nigerian in your country and not be limited to certain conditions and policies that can change at any time in another man’s country.”