Ubi Franklin Opens Up on His Failed Marriage to Lilian Esoro

Nigerian music executive and talent manager Ubi Franklin has recently shared a deeply personal account of his marriage to Nollywood actress Lilian Esoro, their separation, and the profound lessons he learned from the experience. In a candid video that went viral in July 2026, Franklin opened up about the emotional turmoil that followed their split, including multiple suicide attempts, while highlighting themes of growth, co-parenting, and resilience.

Ubi Franklin and Lilian Esoro tied the knot in a lavish ceremony on November 1, 2015. The high-profile wedding featured celebrity guests, glamorous outfits, and widespread media attention. However, problems surfaced early. Franklin has previously revealed that the marriage felt “shaky from the engagement,” with Esoro reportedly dropping the engagement ring twice due to cold feet before they eventually proceeded.

The couple welcomed their son, Jayden, but separated about a year after the wedding. The divorce was lengthy and public, involving court filings in both Lagos and Abuja. It was finalized in January 2021, with Lilian gaining custody of their son.

In the recent video, Franklin spoke openly about the intense depression he battled after the separation. He described driving his red CLA Mercedes to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos intending to end his life, only to be saved multiple times by his cousin, Omini Stitches.

Despite enjoying a successful career managing top artists and achieving financial stability, he felt profound embarrassment and constantly questioned his worth: “What have I done to deserve all of this?” Material successes, such as buying dream cars or paying off his mortgage, did little to ease his pain. He noted that the public nature of fame only made the struggle worse, as the pressure built in silence.

Lilian Esoro has also shared how the failed marriage led her into depression, describing a period of withdrawal and loss of interest in work and social life. Both have spoken about the heavy mental health toll of high-profile relationship breakdowns.

Despite the pain, Franklin emphasized that he and Esoro avoided public fights or social media drama.

They maintained a cordial relationship for the sake of their son, sometimes relying on mediators to navigate moments of anger. He continues to support her career and has affirmed that “love will always live there” because of their shared child. In earlier reflections, he described marrying her as the right decision, as it brought Jayden into his life. A priority that outweighed the difficulties.

Key Lessons Learned

Franklin’s message focused on empathy, personal growth, and perspective:

•  Do not hate the person: When a relationship ends, it’s not always about villainizing the other party. It can become an opportunity to learn and move forward without carrying resentment.

•  It’s not the end of life: Whatever happens in a marriage or relationship does not define your entire future. He encouraged anyone going through hardship to seek help and keep moving forward.

•  Live authentically: Earlier posts echoed the importance of bearing with one another in love, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and recognizing that both partners contribute to the dynamics of a relationship.

•  Heed warning signs and practice self-reflection: Franklin has hinted at pre-wedding uncertainties and the need to take them seriously, while also taking responsibility for his own role in the journey.

He has also described the extravagant wedding as one of his biggest financial mistakes, noting that the scale of the event does not guarantee a successful marriage.

Today, Ubi Franklin continues to thrive in business, fatherhood, and public life. His openness about his mental health struggles is helping spark an important conversation in Nigeria and beyond, where such topics are often stigmatized. By sharing his story, he models vulnerability and hope. Reminding others that even rock bottom can lead to growth.

As Franklin put it, relationships and their endings are simply part of life’s process. The focus should remain on learning from the experience, co-parenting effectively, and building a fulfilling future. His journey with Lilian Esoro, though painful, has clearly shaped him into a wiser and more reflective man.