BBNaija’s Hermes: Mum Walked Out When Life Got Hard, Returned After Seven Years

Former Big Brother Naija housemate and performance artist, Hermes Iyele, has opened up about the emotional challenges of his childhood, revealing that his mother left the family during a difficult period and didn’t return for seven years.

In a candid conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, published Wednesday on YouTube, Hermes reflected on his family’s fall from stability and the resilience it took to survive afterward.

According to Hermes, his father once held a prestigious position at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which allowed the family to live comfortably and travel widely. However, the tides turned, and financial hardship forced a drastic lifestyle change.

“My father worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund and traveled the world, but ended up being a bus driver,” Hermes shared. “I don’t know why he went broke—probably mismanagement of funds—but I don’t know the full story. That’s what led to my mum leaving.”

The family eventually moved into an uncompleted building, a shift that Hermes said his mother was unwilling to endure.

“She said she couldn’t move in with us. She left that night and didn’t come back until seven years later,” he recalled.

Despite her long absence, Hermes said he holds no bitterness. Instead, he praised his father for raising him and his siblings with “so much love,” even amid hardship.

“The way my father taught us about love is the reason I still have so much love for my mum, regardless of what happened,” he said.

Hermes also acknowledged the complexities of his parents’ relationship, suggesting that his mother may have acted in her best interest at the time.

“My parents didn’t have a happy marriage, so she probably made the decision that was best for her. I can’t fault her for that.”

This isn’t the first time Hermes has spoken publicly about his mother’s absence. She reportedly passed away in November 2024.