Seyi Awolowo, former housemate of the reality TV show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), recently shared insights into his challenging childhood in a polygamous family. Seyi, the grandson of the late Nigerian nationalist and statesman Obafemi Awolowo, discussed his experiences during an interview with Chude Jideonwo.
He revealed that his father, who had three wives, disowned him multiple times, leaving him feeling unloved and disconnected. Seyi explained that his father kept meticulous records on each of his children, reducing their identities to mere names on a list.
“My father disowned me a couple of times. He married three wives and kept detailed files on each of his children, reducing our identities to mere names on a list,” Seyi shared. “My father wrote letters to cut off his children. We all have files. ‘As of right now, your name is just Seyi, full stop’.”
Earlier this year, Seyi indicated that he might follow in his grandfather’s political footsteps. Speaking on Channels TV’s ‘The Morning Brief’, he expressed a growing interest in politics due to the current state of affairs in Nigeria.
“To be honest I would have loved not to get into politics but with the way it seems in the country, it is as if I might have to. I would not lie, I would just have liked to enjoy and be on the backbone of entertainment,” Seyi said. “I mean I have a family that I am looking forward to growing in this country, I am not trying to ‘japa’. I want to experience Nigeria, let them experience Nigeria the way I experienced Nigeria.”
He added, “You know, being able to enjoy the full 36 states, go anywhere you want to, interact with any kind of tribe, or interact with anybody. Just be a Nigerian in your country and not be limited to certain conditions and policies that can change at any time in another man’s country.”
