Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has spoken out after facing backlash for revealing that she once took her 17-year-old daughter, Similoluwa, to a nightclub.
The actress made the disclosure during a recent chat with content creator Mr Lil Gaga, where she said she personally took her daughter to a club for the first time and allowed her to taste alcohol. She described it as part of preparing the teenager for adulthood.
The comments quickly spread online, drawing sharp criticism from many Nigerians who accused her of encouraging underage drinking and irresponsible parenting. Others also linked it to negative stereotypes about single mothers.
Reacting to the outrage, Bakare turned to Instagram to explain herself, insisting that her words had been misunderstood. She shared a video clip from her daughter’s birthday after party, clarifying that she never said she introduced her to alcohol.
She wrote, “Let me mention clearly here that I never said I introduced my daughter, @simlineboss, to alcohol. I only stated that she entered a club with me for the very first time in her life at her birthday after party. How is that bad naw?”
The actress added that her aim was simply to create a memorable experience for her daughter, not to promote underage drinking. She urged critics to stop twisting her statement.
In another post, Bakare further explained, “No, pls, I didn’t do Alcohol with @simlineboss, only club, and it’s just to give her a bit of exposure towards the future. I’m not as bad as you think.”
Last month, Bakare had hosted a lavish party for her daughter’s 17th birthday at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The celebration was attended by Nollywood stars such as Biola Bayo and Ayo Olaiya.
An emotional moment at the event was when Similoluwa gave a speech in tears, praising her mother for being strong and supportive despite economic challenges. She described her as the best mother who always went the extra mile to make her happy.
Bakare, in her birthday tribute, had also celebrated Similoluwa as “a better version” of herself, appreciating her daughter’s support and willingness to learn.
The actress has often spoken proudly about her daughter. In 2022, she expressed excitement when Similoluwa made her acting debut on a movie set. She has also highlighted her daughter’s business skills, after revealing years ago that Similoluwa owned a real estate company, Slimline Properties.
Bakare, a mother of three, has been no stranger to controversy. In 2022, she sparked uproar when she claimed that her 13-year-old daughter bought a Benz car for her younger brother. She later defended the post by showing that her daughter could afford it through her business ventures.
Now, with fresh backlash over the nightclub issue, Bakare insists she has been misunderstood and wants Nigerians to see her intentions differently.
