Why I said sex workers deserve better pay — Miriam Ogbonna

Actress, Miriam Ogbonna, who stirred controversy earlier in the week after calling for better pay for sex workers in Nigeria, has defended her remarks, saying they were intended to expose societal hypocrisy rather than promote prostitution.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Ogbonna maintained that her position reflects a hard truth many people are unwilling to confront. According to her, while prostitution is widely condemned, it continues to thrive because of sustained patronage.

“As much as we frown at certain things, it won’t make them stop, and stopping also starts with us. In the case of prostitution, if there is no patronage, these girls will find other means of livelihood. But when we come online to criticise them, while some men secretly patronise them, to what end?” she said.

Ogbonna claimed that her comments were meant to highlight the contradiction in society’s stance. She argued that as long as the demand persists, those involved deserve fair compensation.

My message was simply to call out hypocrisy. Since some men won’t stop patronising them, they might as well pay them well, because their job is not an easy one,” she added.

Reacting to the backlash that followed her comments, the actress said the criticism, though not entirely expected, did not come as a surprise. She described social media as a space where many people project false moral standards.

“Social media is filled with self-righteous people who do the worst things in the dark. Everyone claims to be a saint online,” she said.

Beyond the controversy, Ogbonna also spoke about her career, noting that she effectively balances acting and scriptwriting. While she enjoys acting more, she revealed that she produces her best writing in solitude, describing it as a key driver of her creativity.

“When I’m alone, I get my best ideas,” she said.

She further described herself as a family-oriented and outspoken individual committed to telling uncomfortable truths, adding that she is focused on building a legacy rooted in honesty, hard work, and perseverance.

“I’m a family-oriented, God-fearing, simple and well-brought-up woman who will speak the truth, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes people feel. I’m working towards building a legacy that stands on uncomfortable truths and conversations society avoids; one that shows a woman can rise to the top through hard work, perseverance, and talent,” she said.