Bolanle Ninalowo explains why he approved daughter’s piercing request
Renowned Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has opened up about his decision to support his daughter, Aliyah, in getting a navel piercing, viewing it as an opportunity to deepen their father-daughter connection.
During a candid conversation with media personality VJ Adams, Ninalowo shared that Aliyah, who recently celebrated her 18th birthday, initially expressed interest in getting her tongue pierced.
Uncomfortable with the idea, he encouraged her to consider other options. Eventually, Aliyah suggested a navel piercing, which he approved, citing its less permanent nature and ease of removal.
Recalling the experience, Ninalowo said:
“I remember one day my daughter woke me up and said she wanna get a tongue ring, and I was like, what! I could never say something like that to my dad; I couldn’t even tell my dad I wanted to grow a beard.
“I knew that this was what her friends and peers were doing and it was hard to tell her different when she goes to school and see all her friends have it.
“I took a moment to think then I said, ‘Yo Aliyah, a tongue ring, I wouldn’t want to kiss a girl with a tongue ring but think about something else.’ And she was like okay, I will think about it.”
He added that when Aliyah suggested the navel piercing, he saw it as an opportunity to build trust and connection.
“I drove her there myself. As much as I would rather not want that, it was an opportunity for me to connect, so I would not stop that,” he added.
The actor also reflected on his parenting approach following the announcement of his separation from his wife, Bunmi, last year, citing irreconcilable differences. The former couple share two children: Aliyah, their eldest, and Morakinyo, their son.
