A Nigerian father has sparked a widespread online conversation after expressing his disappointment with the type of English his children use in their family WhatsApp group. The man, whose daughter shared the exchange on TikTok, lamented that despite being graduates, his children communicate in Pidgin English and slang, which he described as the language of "street uneducated elements."
A Father's Plea for Proper English
The incident came to light when a TikTok user, Mau Reen, posted a screenshot of her father's message. She explained that her dad had grown tired of reading the informal language dominating their family group chat and decided to address it directly. In his carefully worded message, the father pointed out a clear contradiction.
He observed that most, if not all, members of the household are university graduates, yet their chosen mode of communication did not reflect this educational achievement. He made a formal appeal for change, writing, "The need for a change have become imperative, a desideratum. Let coherent grammatical language style prevail to reflect maturity and status of members of the house." He signed off his critique with the diplomatic phrase, "I come in peace."
Social Media Erupts with Mixed Reactions
The father's post, shared on December 1, 2025, quickly went viral, drawing a flood of comments from Nigerians with diverse opinions on language, generation gaps, and cultural identity.
Many users sided with the father, agreeing that formal communication has its place. User @Miss J Esq commented, "I agree with your dad. Let coherent grammatical language style prevail." Another, @CHIZARAM, supported him, stating, "I support him on this make una no d act like street children on top his hard earned money wey he use send una school."
However, others found the request humorous or out of touch with modern digital communication. User @-Chukwunyere_ joked, "Imagine person kon reply with pour me water or burst my brain." Some comments highlighted the financial investment behind the children's education, with @Nelonwa remarking, "Abeg, the man dey see as en school fees dey waste."
The father's own vocabulary also became a topic of discussion, with user @Hezta noting, "Omorr E be lyk say ur papa Sabi English pass me oo. Desideratum khe, I never use that word before oo."
The Broader Context of Language in Nigeria
This viral moment touches on a perennial debate in Nigeria about language use, particularly among the educated youth. Nigerian Pidgin English is a widely spoken creole that serves as a lingua franca across ethnic groups. While it is vibrant and integral to daily informal interaction, there is often a societal expectation for graduates and professionals to seamlessly code-switch to Standard English in certain contexts.
The father's intervention highlights a common parental concern: that informal digital communication habits might erode proficiency in formal English, potentially affecting professional opportunities. His use of the word "desideratum" (meaning something needed or wanted) underscored his own command of the language and his expectations for his children.
This is not an isolated concern. Many families and friend groups navigate this linguistic duality, sometimes creating separate chat groups—one for formal family announcements and another for casual, slang-filled banter among siblings, as suggested by user @sweetsong.
The story, originally reported by Legit.ng, continues to resonate because it encapsulates a modern clash between traditional values of formal education and the evolving, relaxed nature of digital native communication.
