Singer, Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema,, shares his perspective on the dynamics between Nigerian parents and their financially supportive children.
According to him, parents are less likely to chastise or disapprove of the choices made by children who contribute significantly to the family’s income. Rema expressed this view in a candid conversation during an interview with content creator Enzo.
Rema’s comments came up during a lighthearted moment in their discussion, when Rema encouraged Enzo to get a tattoo similar to the one he has. However, Enzo, who was reluctant, explained that his mother would not approve of such a decision, recalling an incident when his mother had refused to speak to him for several days simply because he had braided his hair. This event had left Enzo with a lasting impression of his mother's strict stance on his appearance.
In response, Rema reassured Enzo by advising him to focus on working hard and becoming a financial contributor in his household. He explained that once a child becomes the breadwinner, Nigerian parents tend to become more lenient, accepting, and less critical of their children's lifestyle choices. Rema's statement was a reflection of his own experiences as he shared how being the financial pillar in his family had led to his parents becoming more understanding of his decisions as he grew older and achieved financial success.
Their conversation ran thus …
Enzo: “My mum won’t let me get a tattoo. The time I did braids, she didn’t talk to me for days. It was bad.”
Rema: “Don’t worry, you just need to hustle a little bit more. Wait till you cash out big. Nigerian parents don’t advise breadwinners.”
Rema, who has openly discussed his role as the breadwinner of his family from a very young age, revealed that his journey to financial responsibility began after the death of his father. As a teenager, he had to step up to support his family and handle financial obligations that were typically not expected of someone his age. Rema further shared that he made his first million naira when he was just 17 years old. Instead of spending the money on himself, he chose to give the entire sum to his mother to help with household expenses. This experience marked the beginning of his role as the primary financial supporter for his family, which, according to him, led to more trust and freedom from his parents regarding his life choices.
In addition to discussing his personal experiences, Rema also shared his thoughts on the changes in his relationship with his parents as he became more financially independent. His comment about Nigerian parents not advising breadwinners was not just a playful remark but an insight into how the dynamics of respect and authority shift once a child takes on the role of the provider. For Rema, this shift in perspective from his parents has empowered him to make decisions that reflect his personal style and values without fear of parental disapproval.
Rema’s candid reflection about his upbringing and his current status as a breadwinner highlights how financial success can influence the relationship between parents and their children in Nigerian households. While many African families often uphold traditional values and rules, Rema's experience suggests that financial contribution can serve as a form of validation, leading to greater freedom and less interference from parents regarding personal choices.
Watch video below …
Rema is just too funny here👀😹💔💝… he said dem no dey advice bread winner👀😹💔.. lmao ..: #expensivevlog #yamty #yamtyvlog #expensiveyamty #expensive_yamty #rema #enzo pic.twitter.com/kpp0O7pe6q
— Expensivevlog (@expensivevlog) April 28, 2025