From “Yes Daddy” to “Na Who Be Your Papa?” – Fatherhood in Nigerian Contemporary Culture.
Happy Father’s Day!
“Na who be your papa?”
It’s not just a question — it’s a challenge, a boast, a mic drop. In Nigeria, the idea of fatherhood has always been more than biology. It’s about presence, provision, protection… and sometimes pure packaging!
But how do we really talk about fathers in our culture? Simple: we sing, act, and slang our way through it. So, this Father’s Day, we are taking a fun trip down memory lane — from Nollywood classics to street anthems — to explore how Nigerian pop culture has shaped, roasted, and celebrated the Odogwu in every household.
🎬 Nollywood: Papa Wey Dey Para, But Dey Protect
Who can forget the classic father of the house character played by Pete Edochie — wise, firm, often with a glass of palm wine and a proverb that settles every argument? Nollywood gave us dads who:
- Said no to everything but always had our backs
- Could chase a thief barefoot to defend their family
- Had secret pasts that came back in Part 2 😅
Whether strict or soft, they taught us that fatherhood is complex, layered, and often misunderstood — but full of love in its own way.
🎤 Music: From “Good Father” to “Obongowo of My Life”
When Prince Nico Mbarga sang “Sweet Mother,” fathers were like, ehen? what of us? 😅 But in fairness, we’ve had our own fair share of shoutouts:
- Flavour’s “Ada Ada” featured proud Igbo dads dancing like it was their wedding again
- Burna Boy gave us African Giant energy that many fathers relate to — strong, stylish, and silent (unless you touch remote 😤)
- Olamide and Phyno dropped bars reminding us of the grind fathers go through daily to feed, train, and raise kings and queens.
- Daddy’ by Reminisce featuring Davido talks about every father’s wish for his child – that they grow to be greater than they were.
- And then there’s PAPA by Johnny Drille.
Let’s not forget how every Naija dad suddenly becomes a DJ when a classic track drops at parties: “increase the volume, that’s my song!“
🗣️ Slang & Swagger: The Many Names of Nigerian Men
As a man, father or not, you are being celebrated! There are so many names to refer to a Nigerian man. I’m not talking about the popular “Yoruba Demon” we hear on social media😅 .You’ve heard them, used them, maybe even been called them:
- Odogwu – The big man. The don. The boss of bosses.
- Senior Man – Usually said with a shoulder pat and respect
- Obongowo – Calabar flavor with quiet power
- Shugaba – Northern pride with strength and dignity
- Balogun – Yoruba warlord vibes, but with love
In Nigeria, calling your dad “Daddy” isn’t just about age – it’s status, vibes, legacy. Some even take it further: “Yes Daddy!” – a phrase now ruined by TikTok and skits, but we move. 😅
💥 Why Father’s Day Matters (and Why We’re Writing This)
We celebrate the full spectrum of manhood and fatherhood — the serious, the funny, and the deeply human.
This Father’s Day, let’s look beyond the jokes and remember:
- That being a father is an act of everyday courage. (Read more on this here)
- That our dads, uncles, mentors and brothers all play a role in shaping tomorrow
- That we too are writing our own stories of what fatherhood looks like in 2025 and beyond
🎁 Got a Father Figure to Celebrate?
Tell us your favourite “Yes, Daddy” moment.
Drop it in the comments or tag us on social with #KnightmodeDads and #Odogwu
Let’s honour the Odogwus who walked so we could run — and maybe stunt a little on Instagram while at it. 😎
🖤
– Team Knightmode
