Bovi, the Nigerian actor and comedian, recently shared his reasons for sending his children to boarding schools abroad rather than enrolling them in Nigerian schools. In an interview on the Uncolored Podcast, Bovi explained that while the initial decision to send his son abroad was somewhat accidental, it ultimately stemmed from concerns about bullying and the negative aspects of the Nigerian boarding school system.
“My kids don’t live in Nigeria anymore; they’ve been in the UK. It started by accident, with my son in boarding school,” Bovi said. Reflecting on his own boarding school experience in Nigeria, he mentioned how it made him street-smart but emphasized that he wanted a different experience for his children.
He went on to express his concerns about the culture of bullying in Nigerian boarding schools, where, in his words, older students might force younger ones to kneel, fetch water, lay their beds, or even be subjected to physical punishment. “I didn’t want my children to experience that, and I didn’t want to be in a situation where I’d have to confront another child or their parents over bullying.”
Although some believe that such experiences build resilience, Bovi disagrees. He pointed out that many children are deeply affected by bullying, which can have long-term consequences. “I’ve always been rebellious, and I know that many people crumble under that pressure. It impacts them later in life, and I didn’t want that for my children.”
While he chose to shield his children from that environment, Bovi assured that they remain grounded in Nigerian culture, emphasizing that his decision wasn’t a rejection of their heritage but a way to protect them from negative experiences. Additionally, Bovi has been vocal about his opposition to corporal punishment and child abuse in general.
Story by Obaapa Janee
