“Stop Being Too Proud to Apologise” — Mercy Aigbe Urges African Parents to Rethink Their Parenting Approach

Nollywood star Mercy Aigbe is calling for a cultural shift in parenting across Africa, urging parents to prioritise emotional connection, accountability, and healing in their relationships with their children.

Speaking at the premiere of her new film, My Mother Is a Witch, the actress opened up about her own parenting journey — including the tough lessons she’s learned raising her daughter, Michelle.

“Michelle may feel that I was harsh in raising her — and honestly, she’s not wrong. I won’t lie, I was hard on her,” Aigbe admitted. “But I raised a vessel for God. Still, as parents, we need to acknowledge our mistakes, seek closure, and pay attention to our children’s emotional needs.”

Aigbe recounted a powerful personal moment that forced her to reflect on her approach. While studying in Canada, Michelle confronted her mother about a painful childhood memory.

“There was a day I couldn’t reach her on the phone, so I called her friend out of concern. When Michelle finally picked up, I asked why she hadn’t answered, and she said, ‘Mum, I’m traumatised.’ I didn’t understand at first — I thought, ‘Trauma? From what?’ Then she reminded me of the time I hit her on the head with a bucket and never apologised.”

“At that moment, I brushed it off and thought she was just being dramatic because she was abroad. But later, I realised I hadn’t considered how deeply that moment affected her.”

The actress went on to deliver a heartfelt message to African parents, challenging the culture of emotional detachment and the reluctance to apologise.

“We have so many broken adults walking around with unhealed childhood trauma. I’m proud to be part of this film because it opens up these hard but necessary conversations. This is why we’re seeing so many narcissists today — people who never received emotional validation.”

“As African parents, we’re honestly too proud to say ‘I’m sorry.’ But we must change that. If I can learn to apologise to my child, so can others. This film is more than entertainment — it’s a call to action.”

Through her vulnerability and honesty, Mercy Aigbe is not only amplifying an important message but also encouraging parents to move beyond outdated norms and foster healthier, more empathetic relationships with their children.