Linda Ikeji divides social media over what she did to her son

Social media is another world of critics and Linda Ikeji just got herself a truckload of critics out for her.

Billionaire Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji is once again at the center of a social media storm, this time for changing her son Jayce’s surname from ‘Jayce Jeremi’ to ‘Jayce Ikeji’. The change was noticed after Linda shared photos on Instagram of Jayce and his cousin, Ryan Kanu, enjoying a fun-filled trip to Paris.

In her post, Linda Ikeji wrote,

“Jayce Ikeji and Ryan Kanu take Disney/Marvel Paris. Cousins, best friends, and literally growing up together as brothers. Their love for each other is incredible, and when they can help it, are inseparable! Ryan is literally the best little human ever! They’ve been on a few vacations together in the past, but this is the first one they will remember as they are nearly 6 and 7 now. They are big Marvel fans, so we decided to bring them where the action is in Paris. They are having such a great time, and it’s amazing to watch!”

The post quickly drew massive reactions from followers, who were surprised to see Jayce referred to by his mother’s surname. Back in 2018, Linda revealed that Jayce’s father is Sholaye Jeremi, an oil and gas mogul. She also detailed that their relationship, which began in December 2015, did not work out as expected, leading to their separation.

Social media users were divided in their opinions on the surname change. Some defended Linda’s decision, citing cultural practices and the circumstances of her relationship with Jeremi.

User mhorenike commented, “So? A name is just a title… his father’s blood runs in his veins and that’s all that matters.”

Sueldelioness added,

“It’s simply tradition though, that if a man is not married to you and doesn’t accept a child you have for him, the child would carry your father’s name… She was kind enough to put the boys father’s name at birth but if he doesn’t want the child and won’t associate with the lil man, whatever she has done now is best for the child and herself as a woman. That doesn’t mean he is no longer the boys father.”

Another user, iamsheila_, noted, “I think In Igbo land, if you don’t pay the woman’s bride price, the son automatically belongs to the girl’s family.”

However, not everyone agreed. Cool_dsn2023 remarked, “You can’t try that for Yoruba fathers. Yorubas owned the child.”

Ebonyhautediva expressed, “The baby shouldn’t even have had his name in the first place, not Igbo culture. If not that her money had closed her parents’ mouths😔 a man that didn’t pay any kind of dowry, how does the child belong to him??”

As the debate rages on, Linda Ikeji remains unbothered, focusing on creating memorable experiences for her son and sharing their adventures with her followers.