Afrobeats star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P and a former member of the defunct P-Square music group, has set social media abuzz with a controversial disclosure that his children speak French, Chinese and English, but not Igbo.
The singer made the statement while responding to a fan who asked if his children also understood Igbo language after he shared a post celebrating their fluency in French.
In his response, Mr P suggested that his children had no need for the indigenous language, adding that those who value Igbo and other Nigerian languages should teach them to their own children.
“When It’s Your Turn, Teach Your Children Igbo,” he said.
The comment has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians criticising the singer for not prioritising his ancestral language, while others defended parents’ freedom to choose the languages their children learn.
The debate has renewed conversations about the declining use of indigenous languages among younger Nigerians, particularly among families living in urban areas and abroad.
For many Igbo people, the language represents more than communication; it carries the history, culture, traditions, proverbs and identity of the people.
Linguists and cultural experts have repeatedly warned that the loss of indigenous languages could lead to the erosion of important aspects of a people’s heritage.
The discussion has also raised questions about balancing global languages such as English, French and Chinese with the preservation of Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
Many are asking whether parents should focus solely on international languages that offer global opportunities or ensure their children also learn their mother tongue.
