In a bold move that is sure to spark conversations among parents, Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma has shared his stance on disciplining children, revealing that he never resorts to physical punishment. His revelation comes amid an increasing global conversation about gentle parenting and the impact of corporal punishment on children.
Bovi’s story is both personal and revealing. Speaking on the Honest Bunch Podcast, he opened up about his experience with his son, who, at a younger age, had a tendency to break household items when he was upset. According to Bovi, the most extreme of these incidents involved his son breaking their television three times.
However, Bovi was clear: he did not punish his son physically for these actions. Instead, he took a different approach, one rooted in patience and understanding. “I don’t advocate for beating children. You should let children be,” Bovi stated, explaining that his son had broken the television out of anger, simply for “the fun of it.” The comedian emphasized that, over time, his son began to show remorse and learn how to better manage his emotions.
His experience is a stark contrast to the common practice in many Nigerian homes, where corporal punishment is often seen as a necessary part of child-rearing. But Bovi’s refusal to use physical punishment is rooted in a deep belief that violence should not be a tool for correction.
“If I couldn’t afford another TV, then the approach would have been different,” Bovi admitted. “That’s why I tell people, most times when we hit kids, check: are you really trying to correct them, or are you frustrated?”
This candid revelation not only sheds light on Bovi’s parenting style but also sparks a wider conversation about the role of corporal punishment in child-rearing. Is it truly an effective method, or is it a way for parents to release their own frustrations? Bovi’s message is clear—discipline should not come at the expense of a child’s emotional well-being.
Bovi’s comments come after a viral incident in 2021, where he publicly shared the third incident of his son breaking a television. This moment in his life, although frustrating at the time, became an important turning point in his parenting journey.
But Bovi didn’t stop there. He also took the opportunity to criticize the practice of bullying in schools, particularly the system that gives older students authority over younger ones. This hierarchy, according to Bovi, is detrimental and creates an environment where abuse can thrive.
“No child should be given authority over another child in the name of ‘senior student,’” Bovi argued. “They are children. A 16-year-old in SS3 has no business punishing a 14-year-old in JSS1. It’s wrong.”
Bovi linked this practice to a larger issue within the Nigerian educational system, where respect is often forced through fear. He believes this culture of fear originates from secondary schools, where older students are given power over their juniors. This, in his view, leads to an unhealthy power dynamic that contributes to bullying and abuse.
He went on to criticize a system that allows teenagers to punish their peers, questioning the logic behind such practices. “Can anybody confidently sit and watch a 16-year-old flog their child because the child did something wrong? Will you let him because he’s the senior?” Bovi asked, adding that this approach creates a culture of abuse rather than respect.
Bovi also connected these issues to Nigeria’s colonial history, suggesting that the current system of respect through fear is a lingering effect of the British colonial era. “The white man left us and created a system for us to colonize ourselves,” he explained. “Everybody is waiting to get to the top to show themselves to everybody.”
His critique points to a broader cultural issue that persists in many aspects of Nigerian society, where authority is often associated with fear rather than mutual respect. Bovi believes this needs to change, particularly within the school system.
The comedian’s reflections on parenting also touch on the idea that each child is unique and cannot be raised the same way. He explained that his approach to parenting is based on understanding the individual needs of each child, rather than applying a “one-size-fits-all” method. This, according to Bovi, is why some children might feel closer to one parent over the other.
“You can’t raise four children the same way,” Bovi pointed out. “That’s why you see some children say, ‘I love my dad,’ and the sibling is saying, ‘I hate my dad.’ It’s because the father used the same template for all of them.”
