Popular Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has stirred major controversy online after she revealed in a recent interview that she took her 17-year-old daughter, Simisola, to a nightclub and introduced her to alcohol.
The actress made the disclosure during an interview with content creator Mr. Lilgaga. Her comments have since gone viral on social media, with many Nigerians expressing shock and concern over her parenting style.
Laide Bakare, 44, confidently stated that she was proud to be the one who gave her daughter her first clubbing experience and first alcoholic drink.
“I’m the first person that will bring her to a club. That was her first club experience ever. I love the fact that in her memory, she will say my very first clubbing and alcoholic drink was from my mum,” she said.
According to Bakare, teenagers between the ages of 17 and 18 are in a stage of life where they are curious and often try new things. She explained that she preferred to guide her daughter through those experiences rather than leave her to explore unsupervised.
“Those years are very sensitive. Whether you like it or not, they will be exposed. I don’t want her to start sneaking behind me,” she added.
Bakare’s comments have drawn mixed reactions. While a few praised her for being “open-minded” and choosing to guide her daughter personally, the majority criticised her for encouraging underage drinking and exposing her teenage daughter to nightlife culture.
Many Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accused the actress of promoting irresponsible parenting and sending the wrong message to her large fan base, especially young people.
In the same interview, Laide also addressed online discussions about her daughter’s physique, as some social media users had commented on her mature appearance.
“She’s 17 now. That’s just how we are in our family. Even me, I’m 44,” she clarified, noting that people often mistake Simisola for being older than her actual age.
Bakare, however, took pride in her daughter’s academic accomplishments. Simisola recently graduated from high school in Canada with a remarkable 4.80 GPA at the age of 16. The actress had earlier celebrated the achievement on social media, drawing praise from fans and followers.
The interview also touched on Laide’s personal life and views on love and relationships. The actress, who has been married before, expressed doubts about falling in love again, saying her past experiences have taught her valuable lessons.
“I doubt if I can fall in love. Money and love together — that combo must be complete. I’ve been broke, I’ve been down, and I came back again,” she said.
Her comments suggest that financial stability is now a top priority for her when it comes to future relationships.
Laide Bakare is a well-known figure in the Yoruba film industry and has featured in numerous Nollywood productions. She is known for her outspoken nature and often shares personal aspects of her life with her fans online.
While the actress continues to stand by her decision, the larger conversation has sparked a debate on parenting, youth exposure to nightlife, and the role of celebrities in shaping social values in Nigeria.
