Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of the defunct P-Square duo, has defended his decision to raise his children to speak French, arguing that multilingualism should be embraced rather than criticised.
The singer’s comments came in response to social media criticism after a video of his children speaking French surfaced online. Some users questioned why they were speaking French instead of a Nigerian indigenous language, prompting Okoye to explain the reasoning behind his family’s language choices.
In a post shared on his official X account, Okoye said his children attend a French international school and that learning the language is part of their education. He maintained that speaking French does not diminish their Nigerian identity.
According to the singer, many Nigerians criticising his children fail to recognise the value of multilingualism in today’s globalised world.
He also argued that, while indigenous Nigerian languages are important cultural assets, proficiency in an international language such as French provides educational, professional and diplomatic opportunities, particularly because Nigeria is surrounded by several French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa.
Okoye questioned how fluency in a Nigerian language alone would benefit his children in an increasingly interconnected world, noting that his decision was based on preparing them for future global opportunities rather than rejecting their cultural heritage.
The singer’s remarks have sparked widespread debate on social media, with opinions divided over the balance between preserving indigenous languages and equipping children with foreign-language skills.
While some users supported his stance, describing French as a valuable language for international communication and business, others argued that Nigerian parents should ensure their children are also fluent in at least one indigenous language to preserve the country’s cultural identity.
Nigeria is home to more than 500 indigenous languages, with Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba among the most widely spoken. At the same time, French is recognised as an important foreign language in the country due to Nigeria’s geographic location and economic ties with neighbouring Francophone nations. The Federal Government has, over the years, promoted the teaching of French in schools as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration.
The discussion reflects a broader conversation about language, identity and education in Nigeria, where many families are increasingly seeking to balance cultural heritage with the demands of a global economy.
