“Surrogacy Is Not for Healthy People” – Kate Henshaw Slams New Trend

Veteran Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, has voiced strong concerns over what she describes as the growing misuse of surrogacy by medically fit women in Nigeria, warning that the practice is becoming a lifestyle trend devoid of ethical consideration.

Speaking in an interview with News Central, the 53-year-old actress questioned the motivations of women who opt for surrogacy despite having no fertility or health issues. The interview clip, which surfaced online Thursday, has since gone viral and sparked heated conversations across social media.

“I watched Ife’s video and I was wondering, why?” Henshaw said, reacting to a recent post by social media influencer, Ifeoluwa, who disclosed she used a surrogate despite being in good health. “She’s healthy and has nothing wrong with her. What is your reason for wanting someone else to carry your child? It is a means to exploit people who are not financially capable.”

Henshaw, who is also a trained medical microbiologist, warned that surrogacy should remain a medical solution for women who are unable to conceive or carry pregnancies safely—not a matter of convenience or luxury.

“Surrogacy is a thing of giving hope to those who cannot have their kids or have medical complications,” she said. “It shouldn’t be something done lightly like you’re going to buy a bag.”

The Stronger Than Pain star also raised critical questions about the legal and ethical framework—or lack thereof—governing surrogacy in Nigeria.

“Are you bound under any laws or legal framework to ensure that they [surrogates] are taken care of before and after they deliver the baby for you? What documents are being signed? What is the ethical framework?” she asked.

According to Henshaw, pregnancy is both physically and emotionally taxing, and commodifying it without regard for the surrogate’s wellbeing is deeply problematic.

“There are lots of emotions attached. Apart from changes in the body, it’s mental. It’s not something that can be thought of lightly. I hope Nigeria rises up and we implement laws that actively work,” she urged.

Henshaw has been a consistent voice on social issues, advocating in the past for children’s rights, gender equality, and responsible social media use.

Her latest comments come amid rising concerns about the unregulated surrogacy market in Nigeria, where vulnerable women are often recruited without adequate legal protection, medical care, or informed consent.