Afrobeats icon Tiwa Savage has shared insights into how she is intentionally raising her son, Jamil, with discipline and life lessons, despite her fame and wealth.
The singer made the revelation on her Instagram story, inspired by a video from businesswoman and pastor Ibukun Awosika.
Quoting Awosika, Tiwa warned parents against letting their personal success “kill their children’s ambition.”
She explained that children who grow up receiving everything without effort may lack motivation and drive later in life. According to Tiwa, experiencing challenges or having to work for things can inspire ambition and encourage a strong work ethic.
“A dream should be something bigger than your reality. Something you wish you had that you don’t already,” she said.
Tiwa revealed that she has already started applying this philosophy with Jamil, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tunji “TeeBillz” Balogun. For example, while she sometimes flies private, she deliberately has him travel in economy class on commercial flights.
She recounted a recent experience where Jamil was unhappy about his economy seat, complaining of neck pain and lack of legroom. Tiwa noted the situation was amusing, as his legs were too short to reach the seat in front. Even with his nanny present, she said she had to check on him multiple times during the flight because he was unsettled.
Beyond travel, Tiwa is teaching her son the value of earning rewards. “He has to earn it by doing house chores or when he gets good grades,” she said, explaining that items like Roblox are no longer given automatically.
She also shared that Jamil cannot use an iPad, eat snacks, or have candy during the week, and that Bible study has become a part of his nightly routine.
Despite her firm approach, Tiwa emphasized that Jamil is a well-behaved child. She described him as “a really good kid” and stressed that her actions stem from love and a desire to provide a strong foundation for his future.
“I am intentional about setting a good foundation for him,” she wrote. “This, in my view, is what real love looks like.”
Since welcoming Jamil in 2015, Tiwa Savage has often spoken openly about the challenges of motherhood and raising a child while living in the public eye.
