Outspoken Nollywood star Jim Iyke has ignited fresh controversy after declaring that no woman — regardless of how strong or committed — can raise a boy into a “proper man” without the input of a male figure. Speaking during an interview on Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, on August 18, 2025, the actor argued that single motherhood naturally produces “weak men” unless a father figure or male mentor steps in.
Iyke insisted that women are biologically wired to nurture and love, not discipline boys into strong men the society expects. According to him, boys raised solely by single mothers often become exactly like the men who abandoned them, unless the woman introduces a trustworthy male presence early in their upbringing.
His comments quickly went viral across Nigeria and Ghana, sparking outrage among single mums who labelled the remarks insulting and dismissive of their decades-long sacrifices. Many accused the actor of weaponising masculinity to shame women already carrying the weight of parenting alone in a difficult economy.
Supporters, however, argued that Iyke’s message was a call for collaborative parenting and not an attack. Some agreed that a positive male influence is critical to balancing traits in young boys, especially in a society struggling with rising crime and substance abuse.
Gender rights advocates have condemned the statement, describing it as “dangerous stereotyping.” They argued that thousands of men excelled under single mothers — pointing to figures like Barack Obama and Jay-Z — proving that moral strength is not determined by family structure but by values.
The actor, famous for his “bad boy” roles, has declined to apologise, maintaining he was only speaking psychological truth based on his personal observations. He wants African women raising boys alone to deliberately seek out “strong male role models” instead of trying to play both roles.
As the debate intensifies online, #JimIyke and #RespectSingleMothers are trending across Twitter and Threads, with many calling on celebrities to be more sensitive when discussing social issues that reflect millions of struggling homes across the continent.
