Music executive and entrepreneur Ubi Franklin has shared a candid message for young men, urging them to think carefully before having children with multiple partners.
Speaking from personal experience, Franklin said one of the biggest mistakes a man can make is having children with different women, stressing that the emotional and relational challenges often outweigh the financial focus.
In a video shared on social media, the father of four explained that before offering advice to others, he had first reflected on his own life and accepted that he had made some decisions he wishes he had handled differently.
According to him, discussions about fatherhood often center on whether a man can provide financially for his children, but the complexities of managing relationships with different mothers are rarely talked about.
He said:
“One of the worst decisions you can make as a man is having children with different women.”
Franklin noted that navigating multiple co-parenting relationships over the years can become far more complicated than many young men anticipate, urging them to avoid situations that could lead to what is commonly referred to as “baby mama drama.”
While acknowledging that he has been fortunate in his own circumstances, he admitted that not everyone enjoys the same experience.
The businessman was also careful to clarify that his remarks should not be interpreted as regret over becoming a father.
Instead, he described children as one of life’s greatest blessings, emphasizing that his message focused on the importance of family structure rather than on the children themselves.
According to Franklin, where possible, children benefit from being raised within one family by the same parents instead of growing up across multiple households.
Looking back on his own journey, he admitted he wishes he had made different choices and hopes younger men can learn from his experience before making life-changing decisions about relationships and parenthood.
Franklin’s comments carry particular weight because they are rooted in his own life.
The entrepreneur is a father of four children, each from different relationships. During his marriage to actress Lilian Esoro, the former couple welcomed their son, Jayden.
He also has a daughter, Zaneta, from an earlier relationship, another daughter, Ariella, with entrepreneur Sandra Iheuwa, and his youngest son, Shiloh, with South African mother Nicole Siyo.
Rather than presenting himself as someone with all the answers, Franklin framed his advice as a lesson drawn from experience.
His comments have since sparked online conversations, with many people agreeing that his openness offers an important perspective on the long-term realities of co-parenting, while others argue that healthy parenting is still possible regardless of family structure when parents remain committed to their children’s well-being.
For Franklin, however, the central message remains unchanged: children are a blessing, but making thoughtful decisions before starting a family can spare both parents and children unnecessary challenges in the future.
