Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has faced backlash after revealing his decision to support his 18-year-old daughter, Aliyah, in piercing her navel. During a recent interview with VJ Adams, Ninalowo explained that Aliyah initially wanted to pierce her tongue, a decision he was uncomfortable with. As a compromise,he gave her the opportunity to think about her decision and choose something else.
According to the actor, his 18 year old daughter came back and decided she wanted navel piercing instead. He went ahead to say, though he was not completely okay with the piecing idea, considering it less permanent and easier to reverse. He even drove her to the piercing studio and paid for the procedure; “because that's a way of bounding witt my daughter“ he said
However, the revelation has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many accusing Ninalowo of deviating from traditional African parental values. Some users criticized him for being overly permissive, stating that such actions could set a precedent for other young people. Others argued that African parents are increasingly losing their cultural grounding by accommodating Western trends.
On platforms like X and Instagram, users expressed concerns about his approach. Comments like “African parents are now endorsing behaviors they once stood firmly against” and “We need to protect our cultural values from these influences” were common. Others, however, defended Ninalowo, praising him for maintaining open communication with his daughter and ensuring her safety during the process.
This controversy adds to the public scrutiny Ninalowo has faced, especially after the recent collapse of his marriage, which fans had once considered a model relationship. Despite the criticism, the actor continues to celebrate his daughter, referring to her as his "jewel" in heartfelt social media posts.
