Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charles Oputa, widely known as Charly Boy, has publicly celebrated the engagement of his daughter, Adaeze, to a woman, sparking a wave of reactions across social media. The announcement, made on Thursday via his Instagram page, drew both congratulatory messages and criticism, reflecting the deep divisions in Nigerian society over same-sex relationships.
Charly Boy Shares Engagement Video and Calls for Well Wishes
Charly Boy, also known as Area Fada, posted a video from the engagement ceremony on his Instagram page, referring to the couple as his "beautiful Princess and her Husband." In the post, he asked his followers to extend their support, writing, "Folks, wish dem well for me."
Adaeze herself announced the engagement on her own social media, sharing a photo with her partner and captioning it "WE'RE ENGAGED!" along with the hashtag #mrsandmrsgray2027. In her post, she expressed excitement about their future together, writing, "Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can't wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you."
Mixed Reactions Reflect Nigeria's Legal and Social Climate
The announcement quickly became a trending topic online, with reactions split between those offering congratulations and those expressing criticism. This division mirrors Nigeria's broader social and legal environment, where same-sex unions are criminalised under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 and remain widely stigmatised.
Adaeze was previously married to a man, Metu Anu, in a traditional wedding held in Abuja in February 2018. That union later ended in divorce, though the details of the separation were not disclosed in the announcement.
Family History and Charly Boy's Public Persona
This is not the first time a member of the Oputa family has publicly navigated a same-sex relationship. Charly Boy's other daughter, Dominique "Dewy" Oputa, is also known to be in a relationship with a woman. Both daughters currently reside outside Nigeria, which may influence their ability to live openly.
Charly Boy, who has built a decades-long career as a boundary-pushing entertainer, has previously spoken about surviving prostate cancer, being sexually abused by a nanny during his childhood, and long-standing tension within his nearly 50-year marriage to his wife, Diane. He has also addressed public speculation about his own gender expression and sexuality, arguing that embracing traits often associated with femininity does not diminish a man's identity.
The entertainer has 10 children and 14 grandchildren in total and has continued to speak openly about his family throughout his public career, even as his views have periodically placed him at odds with more conservative segments of Nigerian society. The engagement announcement adds another chapter to his ongoing public engagement with social issues, and the reactions to it underscore the continuing debate over LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria.
