Mr P Defends Children Speaking French Amid Language Debate

Peter Okoye has pushed back against critics questioning why his children speak French, turning a family moment in Paris into a wider debate about language, culture and parenting in Nigeria.

According to The Sun Nigeria, the singer, widely known as Mr P, sparked the discussion after celebrating how naturally his children communicated in French during their stay in the French capital.

The former P-Square member said watching them speak the language made him consider buying a home in Paris. However, the light-hearted post soon attracted questions about whether his children could also speak Igbo.

Mr P did not welcome the criticism. He questioned what practical difference speaking a Nigerian language would make and argued that parents should be allowed to decide which languages their children learn.

The exchange quickly divided social media. Some users said indigenous languages remain an important part of cultural identity and should be passed from one generation to another. Others defended Mr P’s right to raise his family without public interference.

As the reactions continued, the singer told critics to mind their own business. He said families should be free to make personal decisions without strangers turning those choices into an online battle.

Mr P also pointed to English as Nigeria’s official language and accused some critics of applying different standards to celebrities. He suggested that many people attacking him would gladly raise their own children abroad or seek foreign citizenship if they had the opportunity.

His remarks have pushed an old Nigerian conversation back into the spotlight: whether indigenous languages should be treated mainly as cultural responsibilities or judged by their economic and international value.

For Mr P, however, the answer remains personal. He believes the public should focus on Nigeria’s larger problems and allow parents to choose what works for their families.