Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has shared intimate details about balancing her thriving music career with single motherhood, emphasizing the crucial role of her support system. During a revealing conversation on the Big Friday Show with BBNaija’s Tacha, the acclaimed singer offered a rare glimpse into the intricate network that enables her to maintain her dual roles as a chart-topping artist and devoted mother to nine-year-old Jamil.
The interview, which touched on both her forthcoming album and personal life, highlighted the significance of intergenerational support in African parenting. Savage particularly emphasized her mother’s instrumental role, describing an ongoing nurturing relationship that transcends age and success. I look at my mum, and she still mothers me at this age,” she shared, revealing how her mother continues to show concern for basic needs like proper nutrition and rest, even amid her daughter’s global success.
In a particularly touching revelation, Savage discussed the consistency in her son’s life through the presence of a dedicated nanny who has been with the family since Jamil was three months old. This nine-year commitment underscores the importance of stable, long-term support in creating a nurturing environment for children of busy professionals.
The singer’s perspective on motherhood extends beyond conventional timelines, as she reflected on how parenting evolves rather than diminishes with time. Her observation that maternal responsibilities continue well into a child’s adult years offers a thoughtful commentary on the enduring nature of motherhood, particularly resonant in African cultural contexts where family bonds remain strong throughout life.
Savage’s assertion about women’s capacity to handle multiple roles simultaneously – describing it as a “superpower” – speaks to a broader conversation about female empowerment and work-life balance. Her statement that she can be both a “full time mum and a full time career woman” challenges traditional narratives that often force women to choose between career and family.
The support structure Savage describes, including godmothers who step in during her professional travels, illustrates the modern adaptation of traditional African communal child-rearing practices. This network proves especially vital for single mothers in high-pressure careers, demonstrating how traditional support systems can be adapted to contemporary lifestyles.
Her openness about needing and accepting help presents a refreshing counter-narrative to the often-glamorized portrayal of celebrity parenthood. By acknowledging that “it takes a village,” Savage normalizes the need for support while maintaining her status as a hands-on mother, showing that accepting help doesn’t diminish one’s role as a parent.
The timing of these revelations, coinciding with discussions about her new album, highlights how Savage continues to evolve both artistically and personally. Her ability to maintain a successful music career while ensuring her son’s well-being demonstrates the possibility of achieving balance in seemingly competing priorities.
Savage’s story resonates particularly strongly in contemporary African society, where increasing numbers of women are pursuing demanding careers while maintaining traditional family roles. Her experience offers a blueprint for how traditional support systems can be adapted to modern circumstances, enabling women to pursue their ambitions without compromising their roles as mothers.
The interview also touches on the universal experience of maternal concern, as evidenced by Savage’s mother’s continued watchfulness over her daughter’s well-being, even amid public scrutiny. This ongoing maternal care illustrates how motherhood transcends age and circumstance, creating a continuous chain of support and concern that spans generations.
As Savage continues to navigate her dual roles in the public eye, her transparency about the challenges and solutions she’s found offers encouragement to other working mothers. Her story demonstrates that with the right support system and determination, women can indeed have it all – though “all” might look different than traditional expectations might suggest.
For now, Savage’s journey continues to inspire, showing that with the right village behind you, the challenges of balancing career and motherhood, while significant, are not insurmountable. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success in both arenas is possible with the right support system and mindset.
