Until Thursday, the late Fela Kuti’s approach to parenting remained largely private. However, his youngest son, Seun Kuti, gave a rare insight into his father’s views on discipline in a viral Instagram video.
In the video, Seun shared a personal story about his father’s response when a teacher beat him at school, offering a glimpse into Fela’s perspective on child-rearing.
Seun’s comments followed the viral outrage surrounding a video from Wednesday, in which a teacher, Stella Nwadigo, was seen assaulting a three-year-old for failing to write the number 6 correctly.
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The video sparked widespread condemnation and drew attention from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).
This incident, and Seun’s subsequent remarks, not only highlighted Fela Kuti’s unique approach to parenting but also underscored Seun’s own views on discipline and child-rearing.
The Afrobeat star, who leads his father’s former band ‘Egypt 80,’ said, “As a product of the Nigerian educational system, I was beaten in school then. That is what I love my father for. When I was about to enter school– on every first day—my father would give me a letter directed to the headmistress for primary and the principal for secondary. He told the teachers or school authorities to report me to him (Fela) and not touch or flog me in school if I did anything wrong. Fela would say: “I’d punish and deal with him myself instead.”.’
“One day, one of the teachers flogged me, and I didn’t like the teacher in question. The speed at which I reported the case to my father was so fast. What that teacher went through at the hands of my father… hmm… (laughs).”
The Grammy-nominated musician condemned parents who physically punish their children, describing it as uncharacteristic of African culture and associating it with colonial-era practices. He encouraged people to challenge the authority that justifies such behavior.
“That’s why I don’t understand the actions of some parents today. I always say that to beat your child is unafrican. I know many of us are used to what we watch, and we are trained to think that it’s normal to beat your child. It’s a lie. It stems from Africans being beaten in colonisation. Under whose authority is what we should be investigating today,” the 41-year-old singer stated.
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