Peter Okoye says Nigerian languages lack value, sparks backlash

Peter Okoye, better known as Mr P, stirred controversy after claiming on X that Nigeria’s indigenous languages ‘don’t have much value.’ The singer, currently vacationing in Paris, France, said watching his children speak French fluently made him think about buying a property there. When a fan asked if his kids also spoke Igbo, he replied, ‘And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg.’ The comment drew sharp backlash, with many accusing him of hypocrisy given his frequent use of Igbo, Yoruba and other Nigerian languages in his music and the commercial success he’s earned from those tracks. Critics argue the statement undermines efforts to preserve local languages and sends a harmful message to younger Nigerians growing up in a globalized world. Supporters of language preservation say the incident highlights the need for more pride in indigenous tongues and better support for language education at home and in schools.

What should you take from this? Does Okoye’s remark reflect a broader trend of elite neglect for Nigerian languages, or is it an isolated slip that shouldn’t overshadow his contributions to Afrobeats? How can fans and parents encourage children to value and learn indigenous languages despite the allure of foreign tongues?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/27/nigerian-languages-dont-have-any-benefits-peter-okoye-claims/