A wave of celebration has swept through the Nollywood community as talented Yoruba actor Mustapha Sholagbade welcomes his third child while marking his birthday. The joyous announcement, shared by fellow actress Yetunde Barnabas, has brought an outpouring of congratulations from fans and colleagues alike.
The arrival of this new bundle of joy marks another milestone in Sholagbade’s growing family with his American-based wife, whom he married in August 2017. This latest addition follows closely on the heels of their second child, a baby boy welcomed in 2022, demonstrating the couple’s continued blessing in expanding their family.
Their journey together hasn’t been without its challenges, yet their bond appears to have grown stronger through adversity. In previous celebrations of his wife’s birthday, Sholagbade spoke earnestly about their shared experiences, expressing profound gratitude for her presence in his life. His heartfelt declaration that she represents “the very best thing that has ever happened to him” speaks volumes about their relationship’s depth and resilience.
The actor’s path to this moment of joy has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations. His marriage to his American-based partner came amid complicated circumstances involving his previous relationship with Nollywood makeup artist Adewunmi Faitai, known professionally as Glitter’s Touch. This situation gained public attention when Faitai, with whom Sholagbade shares a son, voiced concerns about his role as a father.
The public nature of these personal challenges reached a crescendo last year when Faitai took to social media on Sholagbade’s birthday to express her frustrations about his alleged absence from their son’s life. This situation prompted an emotional response from fellow actress Bukunmi Oluwasina, who made a heartfelt plea for reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a loving relationship with his firstborn son despite adult conflicts.
Despite these past controversies, the arrival of his new child represents a new chapter in Sholagbade’s life story. The announcement, initially shared through Yetunde Barnabas’s Instagram post, captured both the celebration of his birthday and the joy of new parenthood. Barnabas’s message, “Happy birthday and congratulations on your new bundle of joy,” perfectly encapsulated the dual nature of this special occasion.
The actor’s humble response of “Thanks dear” to Barnabas’s congratulatory message reflects his typically reserved approach to personal matters. This measured response aligns with his previous handling of family news, particularly evident in how he announced the birth of his second child in 2022. During that time, he focused on expressing gratitude both to his wife for bringing their child into the world and to his creator for blessing their family with another addition.
This latest blessing arrives at a time when Sholagbade appears to be in a period of both personal and professional growth. His commitment to his current family unit has been evident in his public declarations of love and dedication to his wife. His statement about pledging his life to her, though accompanied by a playful caveat about not being ready to prove it yet, demonstrates the mix of serious commitment and lighthearted affection that characterizes their relationship.
The timing of this new arrival, coinciding with the beginning of a new year, adds an extra layer of significance to the celebration. It represents not just a personal milestone for Sholagbade and his family, but also a fresh start and new possibilities. The double blessing of marking his birthday while welcoming a new life into the world creates a powerful narrative of continuity and renewal.
Within the broader context of Nollywood, Sholagbade’s growing family represents the personal side of industry personalities that fans rarely glimpse. While audiences are familiar with his on-screen performances, these life events provide a window into the real person behind the roles, complete with the joys, challenges, and complexities that come with balancing family life and a public career.
As congratulations continue to pour in from across the Nigerian entertainment industry, this moment serves as a reminder of the close-knit nature of the Nollywood community. The way colleagues like Yetunde Barnabas share in celebrating these personal milestones highlights the supportive relationships that exist beyond the camera’s lens.
For Mustapha Sholagbade, this period marks not just the expansion of his family but potentially a new phase in his personal journey. As he embraces the joy of welcoming his third child while celebrating another year of life, the actor continues to write his own story, one that encompasses both the triumphs and challenges of building a family in the public eye.
