Afrobeats singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P and one half of the defunct P-Square duo, has drawn criticism online after questioning the value of Nigeria's indigenous languages.

The remarks came after a fan asked whether Okoye's children, whom he'd praised for their fluency in French, could also speak Igbo. Okoye, currently on vacation in Paris, had posted on X about watching his kids speak French effortlessly, adding it made him consider buying property in the city.

"Still in Paris! Watching my kids speak French so effortlessly makes me think… maybe it's time to own a crib here in Paris," he wrote.

When an X user responded, "Hope they can speak Igbo, too?" Okoye fired back dismissively. "And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg," he wrote.

He doubled down as the exchange continued, telling the user to "MYB - Mind Your Business. Cry harder," and arguing that speaking indigenous languages offers little practical value compared to English. "Again and again… who has speaking a Nigerian language helped? The official language of Nigeria is English, yet this is what you're worried about?" he said. 

He also accused his critics of hypocrisy, suggesting many would relocate abroad and raise their own children outside Nigeria if given the chance.

The comments drew heavy backlash, with many social media users pointing out the irony given Okoye's own career. P-Square built much of their catalogue around lyrics and ad-libs in Igbo and Yoruba, languages that have contributed immensely to the commercial appeal of their music both in Nigeria and internationally.

This isn't the first time Okoye has clashed publicly with critics over Igbo-related commentary. In April, he was accused by another X user of bringing shame to the Igbo community over his decision to move his personal birthday celebration date away from the one he's shared with twin brother Paul Okoye since childhood. Okoye responded to that criticism by blocking the user after a heated exchange. 

He has previously also spoken against tribal division, describing himself as "an Igbo man married to a Yoruba woman" while urging Nigerians not to let politicians exploit ethnic tension.