Model Olajumoke Onibread Reveals How Domestic Abuse by Her Ex-Husband Destroyed Her Career”
Olajumoke Orisaguna, the Nigerian model better known as “Olajumoke Onibread,” has bravely shared the painful impact domestic abuse had on her life and career.
In 2016, Olajumoke became a household name after a chance encounter with British rapper Tinie Tempah during a photoshoot organized by renowned Nigerian photographer TY Bello. Her overnight fame captured the public’s imagination, but her sudden disappearance from the limelight led to speculation about what had happened behind the scenes.
In an emotional interview on City FM, Olajumoke opened up about the abusive relationship she endured with her ex-husband, Sunday Orisaguna. She recalled how their troubles began while living in Ire, Osun State, where she faced what she described as a “toxic” home environment, marked by her mother-in-law’s mistreatment and Sunday’s alleged physical abuse.
After moving to Lagos, Olajumoke resorted to hawking bread to support herself. It was during this time that she had a chance meeting with TY Bello, which ultimately launched her modeling career. However, her husband soon followed her to Lagos, and the abuse continued, despite her rising success.
Olajumoke explained that societal pressures and the stigma surrounding divorce, particularly as a mother of two, prevented her from speaking out for a long time. She also revealed how her career suffered following their separation, with Sunday reportedly attempting to sabotage her reputation and malign those who supported her.
In her own words:
“This is the first time I’m saying this. Even when I met TY Bello and mentioned my husband, my friend was furious. She couldn’t understand why I would claim that someone who beat me was my husband. I explained that I had to be honest because I had children. That’s how he ended up in Lagos. Even in the house rented for me in Surulere, the abuse continued.”
She further shared that she kept silent about the situation, unable to confide in others, despite the abuse she endured. Olajumoke spoke of how Sunday, who had no job at the time, would stay home while she worked tirelessly to provide for their family, often leaving her emotionally and physically drained.
“He would drink and come home late. A small argument would trigger another beating. This continued for years,” she said. Olajumoke also described how Sunday began to control her movements, even accusing her of infidelity whenever she returned late from photoshoots.
Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave. However, the situation only worsened. “When I finally separated from him, that’s when everything started to fall apart,” she admitted. She claimed that Sunday began spreading false rumors about her and those who had helped her, causing her career to decline.
