Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has stirred controversy after declaring that single mothers cannot raise boys into proper men without the involvement of a male figure.
Speaking in a recent interview with Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, the actor insisted that women are not “built” to raise men on their own.
“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly. You need a male influence—go get your brother that’s doing well, your father, or even any man you trust. There has to be a male presence in it,” Iyke said.
According to him, while women are naturally nurturing, this quality alone is insufficient to instill discipline and resilience in boys. He argued that without a father figure or male guidance, a boy risks becoming “weak” and lacking the toughness needed to face life’s challenges.
The actor illustrated his point by sharing a personal story about his four-year-old son, who was bullied during a family holiday on a beach in southern France. Iyke said he deliberately refused to intervene, even stopping his wife from stepping in, so that the boy could learn to stand up for himself.
Eventually, his son fought off the children, reclaimed his ball, and walked away victorious. “I’ve never been more proud of him. That was the spoken understanding between us,” Iyke recalled, stressing that it reinforced his belief in the role of fathers as guides and protectors, not rescuers.
“I’m not here to help you. I’m here to guide you, to protect you, to provide for you. The rest, you figure out by yourself. That’s what makes tough kids. That’s my idea of leadership,” he added.
His comments have since gone viral, sparking mixed reactions on social media, with some agreeing and others accusing him of undermining single mothers.
