Popular Nigerian actor Abimbola Kazeem, widely known as Jigan Babaoja, has opened up about how he overcame years of body shaming.
In a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, the comic actor, who lives with a physical disability, revealed that he developed a strong mindset from an early age to cope with ridicule and mockery.
He shared that growing up, he was often insulted and called names, but by the age of eight, he had mentally moved past the negativity.
“What happened is I have taken these things off my mind. I have taken it off my mind since I was eight years old. I do not know if I have an injury on my leg. The only time I know I am living with disability is when I look into the mirror,” he said.
Jigan explained that he doesn’t see himself as disabled because he can do everything a fully able-bodied person can do including running, jumping, and even playing football.
“This is because I can literally do everything. I can run. I can jump. I can play football. There is nothing I cannot do. Even when it comes to (sexual intercourse), I do better than a two-legged person. I like to do all those hard things,” he added.
Encouraging others living with disabilities, Jigan advised them to accept themselves and find strength in their individuality.
“My advice to people like me is that they should observe my life. Before you abuse me, I would have abused myself. There is nothing anyone can say to me that would pain me. They should accept that that is how God does his thing,” he said.
Jigan Babaoja has enjoyed a successful career in Nollywood for over a decade. His “So Mo Age Mi” challenge, which went viral in 2018, further cemented his popularity in the entertainment industry.
