Nigerian actress and filmmaker Mercy Aigbe has sparked widespread conversation online after a deeply emotional video emerged of her opening up about past parenting regrets, childhood trauma, and the need for healing within African families.
Speaking candidly at a public event, Aigbe tearfully recounted a moment of reckoning with her daughter, Michelle, who reminded her of a painful incident from her upbringing.
“Michelle, I’m so sorry. You might think the upbringing I gave you was harsh. I was harsh, I can’t lie,” she admitted through tears. “A few years ago, I sent my daughter to Canada for school. I kept calling and she wouldn’t pick up. When she finally did, she said, ‘Mommy, remember you hit a bucket on my head one day.’ That broke me.”
The actress revealed how the moment forced her to confront not only her own parenting approach but also the generational patterns of discipline and emotional disconnect common in many African households.
“In African homes, we often carry unresolved trauma and pass it down. We think being strict or even harsh means we’re doing the right thing, but we forget to consider the emotional scars we might be leaving,” she said.
Aigbe stressed the importance of reflection, communication, and emotional accountability in parenting, encouraging fellow African parents to break toxic cycles by acknowledging past mistakes and having open conversations with their children.
“African parents are often too proud to admit they were wrong. But if I can apologize and own up to my mistakes, then others can too,” she added, urging parents to prioritize healing and emotional growth within their families.
The powerful moment has resonated with many viewers online, drawing praise for Aigbe’s vulnerability and sparking a broader dialogue about generational parenting and the emotional well-being of children in African societies.
