“We All Secrete Hormones, Stop Using Them as Excuse” – Wumi Toriola Fires at Emotional Manipulators

Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has sparked a storm online with her latest take on what she describes as the growing trend of people blaming hormones for their bad behavior. In a blunt but brutally honest statement shared on social media, Toriola addressed individuals who constantly use hormonal imbalances—especially fluctuations in estrogen and testosterone—as justification for erratic, toxic, or hurtful behavior. The outspoken actress did not hold back, writing, “Be lying on hormones and be misbehaving. Me sef dey secrete estrogen and testosterone at the same time.”

The comment, loaded with sarcasm and laced with street-smart realism, quickly began making waves across the Nigerian digital space. Fans and critics alike picked sides, while some hailed her courage and candor, others accused her of trivializing genuine medical and psychological conditions. Yet, the heart of Toriola’s message was unmistakable: being hormonal is no excuse for mistreating others, and people should take more accountability for their actions.

Known for her vibrant personality and no-nonsense delivery, Wumi Toriola is not new to controversy. Over the years, she’s built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s boldest voices—never afraid to speak her mind on trending issues, whether within the entertainment industry or society at large. But this particular post seemed to strike a different chord, touching on a subject that many consider sensitive yet long overdue for frank discussion.

In her Instagram post, Toriola continued, “People hiding gidigba under hormones to be acting weird… and then they say you are now the problem when you dish a bowl of what they served first.” That analogy alone—“dishing a bowl of what they served first”—suggests that she’s had firsthand experience dealing with people who play the victim after being the aggressor. Her tone was equal parts fed-up and fed-forward, prompting thousands of followers to chime in with comments ranging from full agreement to heated opposition.

While some netizens applauded her call for emotional responsibility, others felt her words invalidated those suffering from real mental health or hormonal disorders like PMDD, PCOS, or even postpartum depression. But Toriola quickly clarified in a follow-up comment that her message was not directed at people genuinely struggling with health issues, but rather those who use “hormones” as a blanket excuse for consistently toxic patterns.

“Be kind, na all of us dey this ALOT,” she wrote, ending her caption with a touch of humor but unmistakable sincerity. In that line, she seemed to acknowledge the collective emotional fatigue that society is currently experiencing. Life is hard for everyone, she hinted—so we might as well treat one another with decency rather than using internal struggles as free passes to inflict pain.

The post comes at a time when conversations around emotional intelligence, accountability, and self-awareness are gaining momentum in public discourse. With the increasing popularity of therapy talk, trauma unpacking, and self-diagnosis across social media platforms, more people are speaking openly about mental health. However, critics argue that some of these conversations have evolved into performative trends, with individuals using buzzwords and medical terms as shields rather than tools for healing or growth.

Toriola’s comments appear to challenge that performativity. She’s not denying the science—she's confronting the selective misuse of it. And her message resonates with many who have experienced manipulative behavior from others who later justify it with claims of “not feeling okay” due to hormones, moods, or stress. In the end, the actress seems to be advocating for a balance: understand yourself, seek help when needed, but don’t weaponize your internal battles to harm others and expect a free pass.

Her viral post also stirred deeper conversations about gender expectations. Hormones are often associated with women and their emotional states, leading to a common stereotype that women are more prone to mood swings or irrationality. However, by pointing out that she too produces both estrogen and testosterone, Toriola challenges that outdated narrative and emphasizes that everyone—regardless of gender—is dealing with their own internal chemical mix. “Me sef dey secrete estrogen and testosterone,” she said pointedly, using her own body as a metaphor for shared human experience. The takeaway? If she can manage hers, others can too.

The wave of reactions on social media varied wildly. A fan on Twitter wrote, “Wumi just said what many of us have been too afraid to say. Some people are just mean and use hormones as cover story.” Meanwhile, another user commented, “She’s not a doctor. This is insensitive to people living with serious hormone-related disorders. Not everything is black and white.”

Nonetheless, the discussion Wumi Toriola ignited is one that refuses to be ignored. It touches on everything from emotional accountability and interpersonal boundaries to the fine line between self-awareness and self-deception. Whether people agree with her or not, one thing is clear: her words have forced a mirror in front of many, urging them to reconsider how they explain their actions and how they treat others in the process.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Toriola has stood her ground on difficult conversations. From her public opinions on relationships, parenting, and friendship loyalty, she has continuously proven herself unafraid to ruffle feathers in order to speak what she believes is the truth. And while some may not always agree with her delivery, few can deny that she reflects the voice of a growing population—especially women—who are tired of emotional manipulation disguised as vulnerability.

As her words continue to circulate, new layers of the conversation are beginning to emerge. Medical professionals have weighed in to remind the public of the seriousness of hormone imbalances and the importance of not downplaying legitimate conditions. Simultaneously, life coaches and relationship experts have praised the actress for reinforcing the value of emotional maturity and healthy boundaries.

In the end, Wumi Toriola has done what artists and public figures are often expected to do: start conversations, challenge norms, and speak truth in ways that make people think—even if it makes them uncomfortable. Whether you view her words as empowering, insensitive, or something in between, they undeniably cut through the noise. And in a world increasingly comfortable with blaming everything on what’s going on inside, Toriola’s message is a reminder that what we do on the outside still counts.

So the next time someone tries to excuse their harsh behavior with “hormones,” they might want to think twice. Because as Wumi Toriola has firmly made clear—“Me sef dey secrete estrogen and testosterone too.” And yet, she shows up, takes responsibility, and refuses to let her internal chaos be someone else’s burden. Maybe it’s time we all did the same.