“I Was Uninformed” – Victoria Inyama Tenders Public Apology Over FGM Remarks

“I Was Uninformed” – Victoria Inyama Tenders Public Apology Over FGM Remarks

 

OpenLife reports that after facing intense public criticism, Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama has addressed her earlier comments on female circumcision, admitting she spoke without fully understanding the issue.

The controversy began after her appearance on a talk show with Daddy Freeze, where she weighed in on social issues and touched on the topic of FGM.

Explaining how the conversation unfolded, she said, “A few weeks ago, on a talk show with Daddy Freeze, we were talking about issues like we always do, and I was just mentioning the root cause of certain issues and what I think or why I think it was done at that time. That’s where the FGM thing came up.”

She noted that her earlier perspective was shaped by assumptions about historical practices.

“Our ancestors thought that female circumcision would control the urges of women; unfortunately, I didn’t know the gravity of what it is in most places,” she said, adding firmly, “FGM is bad. A midwife called me to explain this, and now I understand.”

Inyama went on to explain that her personal experience had led her to underestimate the severity of the practice. “It is nothing like what I went through; I never knew they stitched and thought it was just the basics,” she admitted.

Sharing a more emotional reflection, she recounted a story from someone close to her. “Even my prophetess in church, who is like my mother, told me she was in the hospital for a week over her episode, and she was only 15.”

Now taking a more informed stance, the actress expressed regret over how her comments were received.

“For that to have happened to her and to everybody out there, I am sorry if my argument and comment came across as uninformed. Yes, I was totally uninformed about this FGM thing; now I am informed. So, now I am going to do better,” she said.

Her response comes amid ongoing conversations about the dangers of FGM and the importance of awareness when discussing sensitive cultural issues.

Let’s talk about female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM);

FMG in Nigeria is a deeply rooted traditional practice that developed around cultural ideas of modesty, sexual control, and readiness for marriage. It has been carried out in several ethnic communities, particularly in the southern regions, and has often been passed down as a long-held social norm.

In recent years, however, greater awareness of the severe health complications and human rights concerns associated with the practice has increased resistance against it. With support from laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and advocacy from groups like the United Nations Children’s Fund, efforts to curb FGM have gained momentum, even though it continues in some areas where cultural beliefs remain strong.