Singer Peter Okoye, known as Mr P from the disbanded P-Square group, has hit back at critics questioning why his children speak French instead of an indigenous Nigerian language. The row started when he shared a post from Paris on X celebrating how fluently his kids speak French.
"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 on the platform.
An X user, @sambuddybest, soon replied asking if the children could also speak Igbo. "Hope they can speak Igbo, too?" the user wrote.
Mr P fired back by questioning what practical benefit speaking Nigerian languages offers. "And who naija language help?
Make I hear word abeg," he responded.
The exchange triggered a flurry of online debate, with some arguing that native languages preserve culture and identity, while others said parents alone should decide how to raise their children. Mr P doubled down, insisting that language choices within families remain personal decisions.
"When it's your turn, teach your own kids all the languages in Nigeria if that's your choice," he told critics.
As the backlash grew, he posted a series of messages telling people to stop meddling in his family's matters. "I've got just three words for you: MYB — Mind Your Business," he wrote.
He told detractors to "go and find someone else to pour your frustration on. Not here.
As for me and my family, we're good."
The singer then questioned what observers stood to gain from his children speaking Nigerian languages. "How does that improve your life?" he asked on X.
Mr P also stressed that English remains Nigeria's official language and challenged people to explain the tangible benefits of speaking indigenous languages. "The official language of Nigeria is English, yet this is what you're worried about?" he wrote.
He accused some critics of being hypocritical, suggesting they'd relocate abroad and raise children overseas if given the chance. He wrapped up by calling on Nigerians to focus on bigger national problems rather than scrutinise how other families manage language at home.
