Nigerian singer Inetimi Odomimaya, known to fans as Timaya, has set social media alight after a viral video captured him suggesting that it is better to have children outside marriage than rush into tying the knot.
The video, which has been widely shared, shows the ‘Dem Mama’ star alongside singer Paul Okoye, popularly called Rudeboy, offering relationship advice to rapper Phyno.
Speaking in Pidgin English, Timaya cautioned against hasty unions, saying marriage often fails. He implied that having children without formalising a relationship might be the wiser path.
“Just born pikin, pikin go grow. This marriage thing no dey work,” he said, earning laughter and sparking a range of reactions from those present.
Online, the singer’s comment has divided opinions. Some critics argue that it trivialises marriage, while others defend it as a reflection of Timaya’s personal experiences.
Born Inetimi Alfred Odon on 15 August 1980 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Timaya has long shared his ambivalence toward marriage. In a 2024 interview with Naija FM, the 45-year-old musician admitted he had never felt pressured to marry despite being a father.
“I’m not married because I’ve never been a fan of marriage,” he said, adding that his views could evolve over time.
Timaya rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with hits like Dem Mama and has earned a reputation for speaking frankly about his personal life and relationships.
Although he has reservations about marriage, he is a father to four children from three different relationships.
Watch the video below.
