Zainab Balogun is one of those actresses you simply cannot look away from. Born in London to a family from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Balogun trained as a lawyer and began modelling at the age of 16. Over the years, she has built a career that spans acting, television presenting, and storytelling, becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian media. Yet behind the visibility is someone who seems more drawn to depth than spectacle.
Growing up between cultures has played a big role in shaping who she is today. Being raised between the UK and Nigeria exposed her to different ways of thinking and living. That experience, she says, helped her become both disciplined and adaptable.
Over the years, another part of Balogun’s story has become more visible. She has spoken openly about living with endometriosis, a condition that affects many women around the world but is still widely misunderstood, especially in many African societies.
Sharing her experience has helped bring attention to a subject that many women have long struggled to talk about openly.
At the same time, Balogun has remained intentional about what she chooses to share with the public. She has often spoken about the importance of keeping parts of her life private, resisting the idea that being in the public eye means giving full access to everything.
In this conversation, Balogun talks about living with endometriosis, the expectations women face today, and the lessons she has learned through difficult moments. Her reflections offer a glimpse into a woman who is still growing and learning, while staying grounded in who she is.
You come across as someone who really embraces simplicity, even down to things like skincare and lifestyle. Would you say you’re naturally a simple person, or is there a deeper, more complex side to you that people don’t often get to see?
I like to believe the foundation of everything I do is on the simpler side of things. However, I can take a hybrid approach in other areas of my life. I think and process a lot because of my desire for excellence, and it’s these deeper inner workings that people don’t often see.
You’ve lived and worked between cultures for much of your life. How has navigating different worlds shaped the woman you are today?
Looking back, I don’t think I’d have it any other way. I experienced a wealth of different cultures, which made me into the multifaceted person I am today. As disciplined as I am, I also enjoy spontaneous moments of flexibility — something that comes from experiencing life in many different places.
Many people may not realise you have a background in law. Do you think that training has shaped the way you approach advocacy and the conversations you choose to be part of?
I’ve always been someone rooted in justice and fairness, even as a child. I try to approach life, work and advocacy with a balanced perspective. Some may say that’s not how the world works, but if we all played our part in upholding what’s right, we would be much closer to that vision.
You’ve spoken openly about living with endometriosis. How has that experience affected your career — both in challenging ways and perhaps even in ways that have shaped your perspective or purpose?
Endometriosis is a condition that can slow women down. It can often feel lonely, as your capacity for everything begins to drain. It has definitely influenced my experience throughout my career. I’ve had to miss out on things I couldn’t always explain to others. Speaking about my journey helped me realise that our stories can shape healing, and I find it very fulfilling to see how I’ve evolved into the woman I am today.
Having experienced the healthcare system both in Nigeria and abroad, do you feel the Nigerian health system is equipped to properly diagnose and manage conditions like endometriosis?
I think the Nigerian healthcare system has so much potential if the necessary tools, funding and infrastructure are made available. I will say that I’ve had a great experience with the practitioners who have supported me on my journey. Without them, I wouldn’t have my diagnosis or treatment plan.
Do you ever wonder what Nigeria might look like if women’s health issues were treated with the same seriousness as other public health concerns?
I believe it would look vastly different. Access would be more widely available, and diagnosis times would be reduced. Women would be operating at a greater level of potential — and that can only benefit everyone.
Sometimes it feels like pain has almost been normalised in our society, especially for women. Do you think we’ve grown too accustomed to enduring pain instead of properly addressing it?
I do think, in many ways, pain has been normalised, particularly for women. From a young age, we’re often taught to endure quietly rather than question what we’re experiencing. While resilience is a beautiful quality, it shouldn’t come at the expense of our wellbeing. The more we create space for honest conversations about women’s health and experiences, the more we can shift from simply enduring pain to properly addressing it.
Looking at Nigeria’s cultural evolution, what trends concerning women worry you the most — or give you pause?
One thing that gives me pause is how quickly expectations for women can evolve without the necessary systems and support evolving alongside them. Women are being encouraged to be everything at once — ambitious, nurturing, resilient and successful. While that expansion is powerful, it can also be overwhelming. As our culture evolves, it’s important that we also prioritise structures that genuinely support women in these roles.
What parts of womanhood do you think society still struggles to understand?
I think society still struggles to fully understand the complexity of womanhood. There’s often an expectation for women to fit into neat categories, when in reality we hold many identities at once. Our physical, emotional and hormonal experiences are layered, and they influence how we move through the world. The more we acknowledge that complexity, the more compassion and understanding there can be for women’s experiences.
You’ve been very intentional about keeping your personal life private. In an interview few years back, you mentioned that your life is not for public consumption. How has drawing that boundary shaped your life and your peace of mind?
Drawing that boundary has been incredibly important for my peace of mind. I understand that being in the public eye naturally brings curiosity, but I’ve always believed that not everything needs to be shared publicly. Protecting certain parts of my life allows me to maintain a sense of normalcy and grounding outside of my work. It also gives me the freedom to be fully present with the people and moments that matter most to me, without feeling the need to perform or explain every aspect of my life.
In many ways, that boundary has helped me preserve both my identity and my peace.
What has pain — whether physical or emotional — taught you about resilience?
Pain has taught me that resilience is often quieter than we imagine. It’s not always about pushing through or appearing strong; sometimes it’s about allowing yourself to slow down, listen to your body and honour your limits. Both physical and emotional pain have reminded me that strength can exist alongside vulnerability. Over time, I’ve learned that resilience is about adapting, finding new ways forward and trusting that difficult seasons don’t define the whole story.
What would you say is the biggest lesson life has taught you so far? And looking back, what is something you learned in your 30s that you wish you knew in your 20s?
One of the biggest lessons life has taught me is the importance of trusting your own pace. In your twenties it’s easy to feel like you’re racing against time or comparing your journey with everyone else’s. In my thirties, I’ve come to understand that growth doesn’t follow a strict timeline. I wish my younger self knew that it’s okay to take your time, to change direction and to prioritise your wellbeing along the way.
Everything doesn’t have to happen all at once.
When you think about the younger women watching your journey today, what do you hope they learn from your story?
I hope they learn that it’s possible to honour who you are while still evolving. Life will present challenges, unexpected turns and moments that require courage, but those experiences can shape you in meaningful ways. I also hope they see the value in caring for themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.
If my journey shows anything, it’s that strength doesn’t always look loud or dramatic; sometimes it’s simply the quiet decision to keep going and to keep growing.
