Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has publicly disclosed that she underwent a tubal ligation procedure approximately 26 years ago to prevent further pregnancies, citing a personal preference for a smaller family size.
Bello, a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, made the revelation during a candid discussion on motherhood on her YouTube channel, Shaffy Bello TV. She stated that the decision was firm and self-directed, made despite a desire from her then-husband for more children.
The actress explained that the surgical procedure, which involved tying her fallopian tubes, was performed via a laparoscopic technique accessed through her navel. She described the outcome as a permanent cessation of ovulation, effectively preventing future pregnancies. “So they went through my navel, went in there, did what they needed to do, and they tied it up. That was it. They closed my eggs,” Bello recounted.
She emphasized that she had always been clear about her desired family size and never felt external pressure to conform to expectations of a larger household. Bello added that any future pregnancy after the procedure would be considered an extraordinary event, humorously noting she would regard it as a “holy child,” referencing the biblical Virgin Mary.
The disclosure offers insight into the personal family planning choices of a veteran celebrity within Nollywood, Africa’s largest film industry by output. Bello’s account highlights a long-standing, individual decision regarding reproductive health, made in the context of a marital disagreement on family expansion. Her narrative underscores a commitment to personal autonomy in reproductive matters, a topic of ongoing global conversation. The actress’s straightforward recounting of the medical procedure and her unwavering stance since provides a specific example of how such decisions are navigated in private life.
