“Don’t Tell Adopted Children They Were Adopted” – Nigerian Cleric Sparks Online Debate
Apostle Emmanuel Okose, a Nigerian cleric, has stirred significant controversy online after advising parents not to inform adopted children about their adoption status.
In a strongly worded social media post, the preacher acknowledged the beauty of adoption but argued that revealing the truth to the child could severely harm their mental and emotional well-being.
“Adopting a child is one of the best things a person can do,” he wrote, “but one of the most foolish things is telling that child they were adopted.”
According to Okose, disclosing such information risks damaging the child’s identity, confidence, and trust, especially if they have grown up believing their adoptive parents were their biological family.
“Where were their biological parents when you gave them shelter, love, and care? You raised them out of love they see you as their only parents. Telling them they were adopted can break them.”
He insisted that not all truths are beneficial, and that revealing such personal history serves no constructive purpose for the child.
“It destroys the mentality of the child. Some may handle it, but many end up broken. You risk making them feel like their entire life was a lie.”
Anticipating backlash, Apostle Okose dismissed counterarguments, particularly the notion that withholding such information is equivalent to lying.
“This has nothing to do with lying. Some things are better left unsaid. Give the child love, not information that could damage them.”
His comments have since gone viral, igniting widespread debate on parental transparency, identity, and the ethics of adoption disclosure. While some agree with his stance on emotional protection, others have criticized the remarks as dismissive of a child’s right to know their origin.
