Timaya Sparks Debate After Saying Marriage “No Dey Work”

Nigerian singer Inetimi Timaya Odon, popularly known as Timaya, has generated online discussion after sharing his views on marriage in a video that circulated widely on social media.

In the clip, the musician suggested that having children without getting married can sometimes be a better option. According to him, many marriages do not last, a comment that quickly drew mixed reactions from viewers online.

“Just born pikin, pikin go grow. This marriage thing no dey work,” Timaya said in the video, prompting laughter and reactions from people around him.

The remark sparked debate among fans and social media users, with some agreeing with the singer’s perspective while others criticized the statement as controversial advice about relationships and family life.

Timaya’s Views on Marriage

Timaya has previously spoken publicly about his position on marriage. In a 2024 interview on Naija FM, the singer explained that he had never felt a strong need to formalize his relationships despite being a father.

However, he also acknowledged that his views could change in the future.

Family Life

The Port Harcourt–born musician is a father of four children from different relationships. His first two daughters, Emmanuella and Gracey, were born in 2012 and 2015 to interior designer Barbara Fumnaya Nwaokolo.

He later welcomed a son, Emmanuel, in 2018 with Tamar, and another child, Maya, in 2020 with businesswoman Dunnie Onasanya.