Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has ignited a fierce online debate after declaring that Nigeria's indigenous languages hold little practical value while defending his children's fluency in French. The controversy erupted on Monday, July 27, 2026, when the former P-Square star shared a post from Paris on his X account, expressing admiration for how effortlessly his children communicate in French and hinting at the possibility of buying a home in the city. "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. The post quickly attracted attention, but it was his response to a follower's question that set social media ablaze. When a user asked, "Hope they can speak Igbo, too?", Mr P replied bluntly, "And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg" .
The remark drew swift backlash from many Nigerians who accused the singer of hypocrisy and cultural betrayal. Critics pointed out that Mr P, alongside his twin brother Paul, built his career on Afrobeats music deeply rooted in Nigerian cultural expression, frequently incorporating Igbo and Yoruba phrases in their songs. One user, @sambuddybest, asked, "But you used Igbo in most of your songs. Was it not helpful?" Another user, @OluwaLay, accused him of having an "inferiority complex," while @AnizobaJude wrote, "This is a wrong assertion, and a poor mindset amongst our people. Especially Ndigbo. Terrible! It isn't about a 'language helping anyone'… It's about identity and heritage" .
As criticism mounted, Mr P doubled down on his stance, urging critics to focus on their own families. "When it's your turn, teach your own kids all the languages in Nigeria if that's your choice," he wrote. He later dismissed the backlash with a series of posts, telling critics to "Mind Your Business" and questioning what they stood to gain from his children's language skills. "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," he said . He also argued that English remains Nigeria's official language and that many of his critics would gladly raise their children abroad if given 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," he added .
Mr P's comments have reignited a broader national conversation about language, identity, and parenting in Nigeria's diaspora context. While some have defended his right to decide how to raise his children, others have argued that the ability to speak an indigenous language is essential for preserving cultural heritage and identity. The debate comes as many Nigerian families increasingly grapple with balancing cultural preservation and global opportunities, with French gaining recognition as a valuable language for international communication, particularly given Nigeria's proximity to several Francophone West African countries . In recent years, the Federal Government has promoted the teaching of French in schools as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration, but concerns remain over the decline of indigenous languages, many of which are at risk of extinction due to urbanisation, migration, and the dominance of English in education and media. As the backlash against Mr P continues, the question remains whether his comments will spark meaningful dialogue about the role of indigenous languages in a rapidly globalising world or simply fuel further divisions.
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