Sonia Ighalo, former wife of Nigerian international footballer Jude Ighalo, has publicly suggested that her ex-husband is absent from their children’s lives in a series of revealing Instagram Stories posts. The mother shared intimate details about conversations with her children that hint at their strained relationship with their father.
According to Sonia’s social media posts, her children requested she not share photos from a recent family outing specifically to avoid provoking jealousy from their father. “Yesterday, while we were heading home, my kids said to me, ‘Mom, could you please not share the pictures and videos we took?'” she recounted. When she inquired about their reasoning, she claims they responded, “That man will be so mad, he will be jealous that we are doing even better without him.”
This candid revelation offers a rare glimpse into the apparent dynamics between the footballer and his children following his separation from Sonia. Her post further emphasized that children who have experienced emotional difficulties aren’t impressed by wealth or status: “Children (abroad ones, for that matter) who’ve been abused and humiliated don’t care about your wealth; once they cancel you, it’s over.
In subsequent posts, Sonia suggested she has been playing a protective role by shielding her ex-husband from public criticism. The loopholes wey mothers they cover sometimes eh, on God,” she wrote, mixing English with Nigerian Pidgin. She continued with a direct message apparently aimed at her ex-husband: “Man, suppose they appreciate me every day, like for real, because if not, these children don’t even know who I am.
Sonia elaborated on what she describes as her comprehensive role in maintaining appearances: “Only I can cover up—the kids, their school, social career team, my own family, friends, and his gullible followers.” She concluded this thought with self-praise, stating “Adesuwa, you deserve the whole forest,” referencing herself by another name and suggesting her efforts warrant more than just a bouquet of flowers.
The public airing of these private family matters marks another chapter in what appears to be an ongoing contentious relationship between the former couple. Jude Ighalo, who has played for Manchester United and currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, has maintained a relatively low profile regarding his personal life since their separation.
In perhaps the most shocking part of her revelations, Sonia shared a disturbing account involving her late sister-in-law. According to her post, Jude’s sister had once told her: “Sonia, I go see as you go take born that pikin wey u get for belle come life. Shey u dey born because of my brother’s property, we shall see.” This statement, delivered in Nigerian Pidgin, essentially questioned whether Sonia would successfully deliver her baby and accused her of getting pregnant to gain access to Jude’s assets.
Sonia’s response invoked faith: “Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not?” She then revealed she “almost died in the labour room” but credited her survival to her mother, her family, the late Pastor T.B. Joshua, her pastors, and spiritual support.
In a startling conclusion to this anecdote, Sonia claimed that her sister-in-law later “fell and kpai [died] while bathing her kids in Canada” in 2020. Despite the apparent animosity, she ended this part of her story with “May God have mercy on you and accept your soul. Omoye Ighalo,” suggesting some level of posthumous reconciliation.
These public disclosures raise questions about the boundaries of privacy in relationships involving public figures, especially when children are involved. While Sonia’s posts provide only one perspective of their family situation, they highlight the complex challenges that can emerge when high-profile marriages dissolve.
The apparent strain between Jude Ighalo and his children, as described by their mother, underscores how parental relationships can be affected by separation regardless of wealth or fame. Sonia’s suggestion that the children themselves are protective of their current stability—to the point of requesting privacy to avoid disturbing their father—paints a picture of a family still navigating the emotional aftermath of separation.
For his part, Jude Ighalo has not publicly responded to these allegations at the time of reporting. The footballer, who has enjoyed a successful international career representing Nigeria and playing for clubs across multiple continents, has generally kept his personal matters private amid his professional pursuits.
The situation highlights the particular challenges faced by families split across international boundaries, with Sonia referencing “abroad ones” when discussing children’s perspectives. This transnational element can add layers of complexity to co-parenting arrangements, particularly when one parent’s career involves frequent relocation.
Family law experts often note that public discussions of private family matters, especially those involving children, can potentially compound existing tensions. However, in the age of social media, the line between private grievances and public discourse has become increasingly blurred, especially for those in the public eye.
Sonia’s decision to share these intimate family conversations publicly may reflect frustration with her current situation or a desire to control the narrative around their family dynamics. Whatever her motivations, her posts offer a rare unfiltered look at the personal challenges that can exist behind the glamorous facade of professional sports careers.
As this story continues to develop, questions remain about how such public revelations might impact the children involved and whether Jude Ighalo will choose to address these claims publicly or continue to maintain his privacy regarding family matters.
