Singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of the defunct P-Square, has stirred reactions after arguing that Nigerian languages have little practical value while defending his decision to allow his children to speak French instead of an indigenous language.
The debate started on Monday after the singer shared a post on X from Paris, expressing pride in how fluently his children speak French and hinting at the possibility of owning a home in the French capital.
‘Still in Paris! Watching my kids speak French so effortlessly makes me think… maybe it’s time to own a crib here in Paris. Just a thought,’ he wrote.
His post quickly shifted the conversation from life abroad to language and cultural identity after an X user, @sambuddybest, asked whether his children could also speak Igbo.
Replying to the question, Mr P dismissed the relevance of Nigerian languages, insisting they offered little benefit.
‘And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg,’ he wrote.
The remark triggered mixed reactions across social media. While some users maintained that teaching indigenous languages helps preserve culture and identity, others backed the singer’s position, saying parents should decide how to raise their children.
As the criticism mounted, Mr P maintained that the choice of language within a family should remain the exclusive responsibility of parents.
‘When it’s your turn, teach your own kids all the languages in Nigeria if that’s your choice,’ he wrote.
The singer later fired back at his critics through a series of posts, telling them to stay out of his family’s affairs.
‘I’ve got just three words for you: MYB – Mind Your Business.
‘Go and find someone else to pour your frustration on. Not here.
‘As for me and my family, we’re good. Go and find another place to pour your frustration,’ the singer said.
He also questioned why people were concerned about the languages spoken by his children.
‘Again, what exactly do you stand to gain if my children speak Nigerian languages? How does that improve your life?
‘MYB – Mind Your Business. Cry harder,’ MR P said.
The music star further argued that speaking indigenous Nigerian languages had not produced meaningful benefits, pointing out that English remains the country’s official language.
‘Again and again… who has speaking a Nigerian language helped?
‘The official language of Nigeria is English, yet this is what you’re worried about?
‘Una never ready. The joke is on you.’
Mr P also accused some of those criticising him of double standards, claiming many of them would embrace foreign citizenship and raise their children abroad if given the opportunity.
‘Meanwhile, many of the same people criticizing me would jump at the chance to get foreign citizenship or raise their own children abroad if they had the opportunity.
‘With everything going on in Nigeria, your biggest concern is whether my children speak Nigerian languages?
‘Focus on the real issues and let people raise their families the way they choose. Ndi ala.’
Reinforcing his position in another post, the singer again questioned why the issue had attracted so much attention.
‘With everything going on in Nigeria, your biggest concern is whether my children speak Nigerian languages?
‘Out of all the real issues facing the country, this is what keeps you awake?’