Nigerian music star, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has responded to critics who suggested that he should retire from music because of his age, insisting that talent and creativity have no expiration date.
The singer’s reaction came after a social media user on X (formerly Twitter), identified as OloriOfOloris, criticized a clip from one of his music videos and questioned why the 44-year-old artist was still actively performing Afrobeats.
The user argued that Mr P was “almost 50” and should consider stepping away from the music industry.
“I don’t get why an almost 50-year-old man is still singing like this. It’s okay to retire,” the post read.
The comment quickly sparked debate across social media platforms, drawing reactions from fans, fellow entertainers and industry observers.
Among those who came to Mr P’s defence was a media personality , who described the criticism as ageist and unfair.
Do2dtun pointed out that several internationally celebrated artists who are older than Mr P remain active and successful in the global music industry.
According to him, age has never been a barrier to musical excellence, citing renowned performers such as , , and members of the , all of whom continue to perform and release music despite being older than the Nigerian singer.
“Peter is 44 but you dimwits are so ageist that you don’t even know what you bring down in the name of clicks,” Do2dtun wrote.
Responding through his social media platforms, Mr P suggested that the latest criticism was another attempt by some individuals to undermine his career following years of controversies surrounding the breakup of the famous music duo, P-Square.
The singer argued that critics had merely shifted from old narratives to a new line of attack after previous allegations and controversies failed to gain traction.
“After dem realize say all those narratives no hold water, dem come with another one: ‘Now he is too old to be singing and dancing,'” he wrote.
Mr P further highlighted what he described as a double standard among some critics, noting that international stars are often celebrated for maintaining successful careers well into their forties, fifties and beyond.
He specifically referenced global superstars such as , and , who continue to command massive audiences around the world.
“Meanwhile, na de same people go celebrate and hype Usher, Beyoncé and Chris Brown for doing the same thing,” he added.
The debate has reignited conversations about age and longevity in the entertainment industry, with many fans arguing that experience, stagecraft and artistic relevance often improve with age.
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Supporters of the singer noted that several Nigerian music legends and international performers have sustained successful careers for decades, proving that age is not a determining factor in an artiste’s ability to entertain audiences.
Mr P remains one of Nigeria’s most recognizable entertainers, having achieved fame alongside his twin brother , as part of the iconic P-Square group.
Since pursuing a solo career, he has continued to release music, perform on international stages and maintain a strong fan base across Africa and beyond.
The latest controversy has once again placed the veteran entertainer at the centre of online discussions, with many fans insisting that musicians should be judged by the quality of their work rather than their age.
