Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, now known as Mr P-Square has declared that what scares him most in life is not death — but poverty. At a public appearance this week, the former P-Square star said his brush with hardship as a child has shaped his outlook, making financial insecurity his primary fear.
“I’m not afraid of death,” Peter said in a video making rounds on social media. “The only thing I’m afraid of in this life is poverty — being broke. I’ve tasted it before.”
He recounted how his family once lived in a one-bedroom apartment, which was later demolished — a traumatic event that marked the beginning of their struggle.
“I have tasted it [poverty] before. I have been in our house with my parents and siblings and a bulldozer came and demolished it.
“We were living in a boys’ quarter, me, my mum, my dad, all of us. The whole family, six boys and two girls living in a one-bedroom apartment. They had to divide the room with a curtain. So, the landlord had sold the compound, we were trying to plead to get some time to plan our relocation and then a bulldozer came and started demolishing the house while we were still in the building.”
That experience, he said, taught him the value of security and financial stability.
Peter’s statement has resonated widely across social media, with many fans and followers responding with empathy and support. Some pointed to his success today as a symbol of hope, while others echoed his warning about the dangers of economic hardship.
Though he once formed half of the music duo P‑Square, Peter’s current solo career has brought him individual recognition, and he has used his platform to speak candidly about personal struggles, mental health, and the pitfalls of fame.
