By Joan Odafe and Etinosa Jacobs
Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has called for an end to body shaming, saying she faced criticism both as a plus-size woman and after losing nearly half her body weight in a years-long health journey.
The actress made the appeal in a post shared on her verified Instagram account, @eniola_badmus, on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badmus reflected on her transformation from 170 kilogrammes to 83 kilogrammes and the emotional toll of online criticism.
According to her, the journey was not easy and required unwavering commitment over several years.
“Five years ago, I weighed 170KG. Today, in 2026, I weigh 83KG.
“That didn’t happen overnight. It took years of discipline, sacrifice, pain, consistency, tears, setbacks and choosing my health every single day.
“It has been one of the hardest journeys of my life and I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come,” she wrote.
Badmus, however, expressed disappointment that the same people who mocked her for being overweight have continued to criticise her after her weight loss.
“What exactly do you want from me?” she asked.
She acknowledged that significant weight loss naturally comes with physical changes, adding that she is embracing every stage of the process while taking care of her health.
“When someone loses almost 90KG, it’s completely normal for the skin to change. Of course, my skin will adjust.
“I’m doing my best, taking care of myself, using collagen, staying healthy and embracing every stage of this transformation,” she said.
The actress said the constant criticism still affects her, even though she had chosen not to respond publicly.
“Just because I don’t respond to the insults doesn’t mean they don’t hurt.
“It doesn’t mean I’m weak. It doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings. I’m human. Blood runs through my veins just like yours. Words have consequences,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to focus on the determination behind her transformation rather than perceived imperfections.
“Going from 170KG to 83KG isn’t a small achievement.
“Instead of constantly pointing out what you think is wrong with my body, why not celebrate the strength, determination, and resilience it took to get here.
“If you don’t have anything kind to say, it’s okay to say nothing at all,” she said.
Badmus also challenged women to show more compassion to one another, noting that most of the online bullying directed at her had come from women.
She added that no one should be ridiculed because of their body size or personal appearance.
The actress’s latest message mirrors an earlier reflection this year, when she said her weight loss journey was driven by self-love, better health, and personal growth — not by pressure to meet society’s expectations.
In the post, she encouraged people to respect and appreciate their bodies while pursuing healthier lives, insisting that an individual’s worth is never defined by body size. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran