When Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa announced the birth of her first child on November 18, 2024, she offered more than a celebration, she offered a testimony. For years, she quietly weathered heartbreak, loss, and public scrutiny. Her son, Oluwafirewamiri (fondly known as “Baby Fire”), is not just a milestone in her life; he is the living proof of a long-battled dream.
Early Life and Career: Building a Platform
Born Temidayo Amusa on July 20, 1983, in Lagos, Dayo grew up in a family of five, with her mother from Ogun State and her father from Lagos. She attended Mayflower School in Ikenne and later studied Food Science & Technology at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
Her entrance into Nollywood came in 2002, and by 2006 she was producing her own films. While she is best known for her work in Yoruba-language cinema, she has also acted in English-language films, showcasing her versatility. Among her film credits are titles like A Long Night (2015), where she plays “Sec.” She also produced Omoniyun (2019), a socially conscious film about girl child protection.
Beyond acting, Dayo is an entrepreneur. She runs PayDab Schools, with branches in both Ibadan and Lagos. She is also a singer with singles including Blow My Mind, Mama’s Love, and Omodaddy. Her career, spanning more than two decades, has made her a well-known name in Nollywood and beyond.
A Private Struggle: Fertility, Loss, and Resilience
While her public persona has been that of a confident, multi-talented entertainer, Dayo’s private life tells a deeper, more painful story.
In multiple public disclosures, she revealed that she experienced three miscarriages. In 2015, doctors diagnosed her with uterine myomatosis, which are benign tumours in her uterus and, alarmingly, some advised her to remove her womb entirely due to the complications she faced. But she refused. Instead, she sought other medical paths.
On February 14, 2015, she underwent surgery in the UK to remove the tumours through a minimally invasive procedure. Yet her medical battles continued because unfortunately by 2016, she discovered one of her fallopian tubes was damaged, making natural conception extremely difficult.
Her relationship life also suffered. She has spoken about failed serious long-term relationships and in 2019, after a failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt, her partner reportedly suggested she let him impregnate someone else. She refused, and the relationship ended. These traumas, she said, led her into depression, isolation, and a loss of direction in her career.
It was only after her mother encouraged her to relocate, first to the UK and then to the United States, that things sharply changed.
The Arrival of “My Treasure”
On November 18, 2024, Dayo shared joyous news that she gave birth to a baby boy in the United States. In her Instagram post, she wrote, “ALHAMDULILAH, My treasure has arrived. It’s a boy.” Her announcement generated warm responses from fans and industry colleagues alike.
Her son was later named Oluwafirewamiri Abdulrasheed, though she often uses the nickname “Olu Fire” or “Baby Fire” on social media.
A Mother’s Voice: Public Vulnerability and Assertion
Becoming a mother opened a new chapter in Dayo’s life,one she has embraced publicly and unapologetically. Sharing her journey on Instagram and in media interviews, she opened up about the pain she endured and the joy she now holds in her arms.
In a deeply personal Instagram post, she recounted her fertility journey, including the miscarriages, her diagnosis, the tumor-removal surgery, and the emotional toll of being told she might never carry a child. She wrote:
“For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to be a complete ideal woman (a wife and a mom) … Having had 3 miscarriages … some doctors recommended removing my womb … I decided to fight and reject that option.”
Her vulnerability struck a chord. She shared how her mental health suffered, as she withdrew from friends, family, and even her career.
But she also shared how faith and family anchored her. She credited her mother with intervening, urging a change of environment, and giving her hope.
Public Reaction: Support, Scrutiny, and Rumours
As Dayo’s pregnancy and motherhood journey unfolded, she faced both love and criticism. The child’s father has remained undisclosed, and she has kept the details of her romantic relationships private. These choices have fueled speculation.
Some rumoured her relationships had ended poorly, or questioned paternity, but Dayo has responded on her own terms via emotional posts, firm rebuttals, and outright silence when needed. In one of her testimonies, she called out the misconception of her being barren and used her platform to destigmatize infertility.
The First Birthday: Celebration and Meaning
When Oluwafirewamiri, fondly known as Baby Fire, turned one on November 18, 2025, Dayo Amusa celebrated not just a birthday, but a miracle. The day marked a year of answered prayers, resilience, and the profound joy of motherhood that she had longed for. Days before the celebration, she shared enchanting photos of her son dressed in full Igbo traditional attire, complete with coral beads and a miniature cap, calling him “Mazi Odogwu Fire.” Every detail, she revealed, was “Styled by Mum,” a gesture that underscored the care, love, and cultural pride she poured into the moment.
On Sunday, November 23, the celebration itself took place at Lekki Bay Water Park, a space that combined the vibrancy of nature with the intimacy she desired. The party’s theme, playful and inspired by the wild, reflected the innocence and wonder of childhood while remaining elegant and heartfelt. Videos and photos captured the atmosphere: Dayo carrying her son, laughter filling the air, children running and playing, and guests joining in spontaneous dancing and singing.
Though private, the gathering became a shared experience online as fans and colleagues flooded her posts with heartfelt messages, prayers, and blessings. Among them were Nollywood friends and industry peers like Mercy Aigbe, Iyabo Ojo, Laide Bakare, Sikiratu Sindodo, Seyi Edun, Wumi Ajiboye, Regina Chukwu, Wumi Toriola, Bimpe Akintunde, and Shola Kosoko, all expressing their affection for the little boy. They were also present at the star-studded birthday celebration.
In a deeply personal gesture, Dayo also released a new single titled “Firewamiri,” a musical tribute to her son that doubled as a love letter and celebration of the journey she had endured to hold him. The song, coupled with her tender Instagram caption, “Thank you for the opportunity to be called your mom” captured the depth of her gratitude and the emotional significance of the day.
Oluwafirewamiri’s first birthday was more than a milestone; it was a public affirmation of triumph over hardship, a testament to patience and faith, and a celebration of a mother’s joy finally realized. For Dayo Amusa, the day was a reminder that the journey to motherhood, with all its trials and heartache, had culminated in a life worth cherishing, and a year worth celebrating.
What This Means for Her Image and Her Legacy
Motherhood has deepened Dayo Amusa’s public narrative.
• Authenticity & relatability: By sharing her fertility struggles so openly, Dayo has become a voice for women who battle infertility in silence. Her story normalizes pain, resilience, and healing.
• Brand evolution: Already an established actress, singer, and entrepreneur, she now also embodies the role of “celebrated mother.” This chapter adds emotional weight to her public persona and may inspire new creative projects from films to content she produces or supports.
• Privacy on her own terms: Dayo’s decision not to disclose the father of her child, and to address rumours selectively, shows a careful balance between openness and self-protection. She’s curated what she wants to share, drawing boundaries when needed.
• Mental health advocacy: Her openness about depression, isolation, and the emotional weight of repeated loss contributes to larger conversations around mental health, particularly in African and celebrity contexts.
Conclusion: A Story of Faith, Fight, and Fulfillment
Dayo Amusa’s journey to motherhood is a testament to faith, grit, and hope, even asides from being a celebrity spotlight moment.
She resisted medical advice to give up, reclaimed her narrative after heartbreak, and now holds in her arms what she once feared she might never have.
Her son, Oluwafirewamiri “Baby Fire,” is more than her child; he is a symbol of resilience in the face of loss, of love that surpasses adversity, and of the fierce joy that comes when a deeply held dream finally arrives.
Through her openness, Dayo offers a map for others: that the path to what feels impossible sometimes winds through pain, but with courage and support, it can lead to a profound, life-affirming “yes.”
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