LAGOS, Nigeria – In a powerful evening of storytelling, celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie delivered an intimate and emotionally resonant conversation at the #WithChude Live! event in Lagos, where she opened up about her journey through motherhood, surrogacy, the creative process, and living with depression.
Hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, the flagship event, held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, drew an enthusiastic audience to witness one of Africa’s most influential voices speak with rare candour on deeply personal topics.
“It’s Lovely to Be Here Because I Am at Home”
From the moment she took the stage, Adichie set a warm and personal tone. “It’s lovely to be here because I am at home,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd.
She quickly turned to the inner realities of public success, challenging common assumptions about permanence in achievement.
“People think that if you were successful once, you are sure that you will always be successful, and that’s not true, especially for creatives,” she remarked.
The Anxiety Behind Acclaim
Despite her literary fame, Adichie spoke honestly about the persistent vulnerability that accompanies each new work.
Reflecting on the release of Americanah, she admitted: “I’m sure about what I want to write but not sure about how people will receive it. I thought people would hate Americanah and react negatively, and it’s a cherry on top to get a good reception for my books.”
She echoed similar feelings about her latest book Dream Count, published since becoming a mother: “I wasn’t also sure of the reception for Dream Count, as it was my first book as a person who has children, and I am so grateful for everything.”
Host Chude Jideonwo responded: “We are so grateful that you are able to come out with this book,” prompting warm cheers from the audience.
On Surrogacy and Breaking Taboos
The most emotional moment of the evening came when Adichie addressed her experience with surrogacy.
“There is no way I am going to lie and claim a baby that I did not birth myself, and I think it’s wrong,” she said, confronting stigma around non-traditional paths to parenthood with her characteristic frankness.
Asked why she felt the need to speak up, Adichie responded: “I want more women to feel less ashamed of talking about reaching motherhood through non-traditional means, especially in a judgmental society.”
She closed the discussion on the subject with a note of pride and peace: “I have zero regret about surrogacy. My children are my precious gift.”
WithChude.com is a subscription-based streaming platform offering films, series, interviews, documentaries, and blogs from across Africa.
The platform is dedicated to strengthening the mind, heart, and spirit and operates independently through a paid-subscriber model.
With over 8 million weekly viewers across TV and digital platforms, its flagship interview show With Chude has become one of the most-watched and widely syndicated talk shows in Africa, known for its emotionally impactful conversations with major cultural and public figures.
