Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold with his wife, Simi.
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has revealed that checking his wife Simi’s genotype was one of the first things he did before pursuing a relationship with her, saying compatibility was non-negotiable because of the possible implications for their future children.
The singer disclosed this while speaking on the One54 Africa podcast, where he explained that he would not have pursued the relationship if their genotypes had been incompatible.
He explained that the decision was not simply about romance but about making a responsible choice before starting a family.
“When we met, the first thing we did, I had to know her genotype or that we match. If we did not… so she’s AA,” he said.
Adekunle Gold, who has lived with sickle cell disease, also called for greater awareness about genotype compatibility, particularly among young people considering marriage or having children.
He said people living with sickle cell disease should not be denied the opportunity to find love, but stressed the importance of understanding the possible genetic risks before having children.
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup a person carries for certain inherited conditions. In relation to sickle cell disease, people may have genotypes such as AA, AS or SS.
When two people with the AS genotype have a child, there is a possibility that the child will inherit an S gene from both parents and have the SS genotype, which causes sickle cell disease.
Medical experts therefore encourage people to know their genotype and that of their partners early enough to understand their reproductive options and make informed decisions.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that can cause recurrent episodes of severe pain, anaemia, infections and complications affecting major organs. Proper medical care can help people living with the condition manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Adekunle Gold’s comments have therefore renewed public discussion about genotype testing, particularly in Nigeria, where sickle cell disease remains a significant public health concern.
The singer has previously spoken publicly about living with sickle cell disease and has used his platform to promote greater awareness of the condition.
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