Nollywood actress Biola Adebayo marked an emotional milestone today as her son, Tioluwanimi Asher, turned two years old. The star took to Instagram on April 9, 2025, sharing heartwarming photos of her toddler alongside a touching message that revealed the depth of her maternal love and the remarkable journey that brought them together.
The proud mother’s emotional tribute showcased both her joy at reaching this milestone and reflected the challenging path to motherhood she previously shared with fans. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WORLD! My adorable Tioluwanimi, Asher, Iretide, Atirayoluwa Aremu,” Adebayo wrote, beginning a message filled with prayers and hopes for her young son’s future.
Her birthday message continued with powerful blessings: “Nations will call you blessed! Your voice is loud and obeyed in your generation. Gentiles will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. You’re kept and protected by God. You’re never confused, you’re never in the dark because the ‘Light’ himself lives inside of you. Great shall be your peace all the long days of your life in Jesus name. I love you so much, IREWAMIRI.”
The celebration holds particular significance given the actress’s well-documented struggle with fertility. In April 2023, Adebayo revealed to her followers that she had welcomed her son via surrogacy after an arduous journey spanning several years. Her openness about this process helped normalize conversations about alternative paths to parenthood within Nigeria’s entertainment industry and beyond.
At that time, she had candidly shared her painful experience, detailing multiple failed IVF attempts, a cancelled surrogate cycle, and three unsuccessful surrogate attempts over a two-year period. Her eventual success story became an inspiration for many facing similar challenges in their quest for parenthood.
The actress’s willingness to discuss surrogacy publicly was particularly significant in a cultural context where fertility issues often remain taboo subjects. By sharing both her struggles and ultimate joy, Adebayo has helped create space for more open conversations about diverse paths to parenthood in Nigerian society.
Today’s birthday celebration represents not just another year in young Tioluwanimi’s life, but also serves as a milestone in Adebayo’s motherhood journey that once seemed impossible. The photos shared by the actress display the evident bond between mother and son, capturing tender moments that stand in stark contrast to the difficulties that preceded his birth.
For many of Adebayo’s fans and followers, the birthday celebration is particularly poignant given the actress’s recent personal loss. The star recently mourned the passing of her mother, Mrs. Mojisola Nurat Adebayo, a painful event that was also shared with her social media community. Videos posted by the actress showed her emotional state during the funeral proceedings, where she expressed that her “heart was shattered” by the loss.
This juxtaposition of profound grief alongside the celebration of her son’s life highlights the complex emotional landscape the actress has navigated in recent months. For many followers, Tioluwanimi’s birthday celebration represents a much-needed bright spot during a difficult period for the beloved Nollywood figure.
Industry colleagues and fans quickly filled the comment section of Adebayo’s birthday post with congratulatory messages and additional prayers for the young boy. Many remarked on his growth since previous photos shared by the actress, while others noted the striking resemblance between mother and son.
Biola Adebayo, known professionally as Biola Bayo, has built a substantial career in Nigeria’s film industry with numerous credits in both Yoruba and English-language productions. Her openness about personal struggles has endeared her to fans beyond her on-screen performances, creating a connection that transcends entertainment.
The actress’s journey reflects broader changes in how Nigerian celebrities engage with their audience regarding personal matters. Where fertility challenges were once kept strictly private, a new generation of stars has begun speaking more openly about these experiences, helping reduce stigma and provide support to others facing similar situations.
Medical experts note that conversations like Adebayo’s help normalize discussions about fertility treatments and options like surrogacy, potentially encouraging those struggling with conception to seek appropriate medical intervention earlier. While surrogacy remains relatively uncommon in Nigeria compared to Western countries, awareness has grown significantly in recent years, partly due to public figures sharing their experiences.
For Adebayo, this birthday celebration represents not just her son growing older, but also the fruits of perseverance through numerous disappointments. Her previous posts about Tioluwanimi’s birth emphasized gratitude toward medical professionals and the surrogate mother who helped make her dream of motherhood a reality.
As Tioluwanimi enters his third year, Adebayo’s social media narrative showcases the typical joys and challenges of toddlerhood, marking a shift from the focus on his unusual path to her family. This normalization itself represents progress in how alternative forms of family creation are perceived and discussed.
The actress joins a small but growing number of Nigerian celebrities who have openly discussed using surrogacy, including actress Ini Edo, who similarly shared her experience to help destigmatize the practice.
As celebration messages continue pouring in from well-wishers, Biola Adebayo’s story stands as testimony to maternal determination and the evolving understanding of family formation in contemporary Nigerian society. Through both personal tragedy and triumph, her willingness to share authentic experiences resonates with fans who see in her story elements of their own struggles and hopes.
