“Let Children Miss the Road Sometimes”: Cosmas Maduka Challenges Traditional Parenting Norms [VIDEO]

Billionaire entrepreneur and founder of the Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka, has sparked a wave of conversation and introspection after calling out what he described as a stifling parenting culture in many African households. During a candid appearance on a recent podcast, the respected businessman didn’t mince words, referring to parents — including himself — as “dream killers.”

Known for his rags-to-riches story and widely regarded as a symbol of perseverance and vision, Maduka used his platform to criticize the overly cautious and controlling approach many African parents adopt when raising their children. He drew from his personal experience to illustrate the consequences of such parenting, admitting that even he, despite his early hustle, once fell into the same trap.

As a child, Maduka revealed, he rode a motorbike at just 11 years old — an act that shaped his risk-taking mindset and independent spirit. Fast forward to his own role as a father, and the same freedom he once enjoyed became something he instinctively denied his son. “I have a child who, when he was 16, wanted to ride a bike, and I said, ‘You will not. You will kill yourself,’” Maduka confessed. The contradiction in his own parenting led to an honest moment of reflection. “Why do I think I had a better sense than him?” he asked aloud.

His son, choosing disobedience over restriction, eventually took up biking — and today, Maduka proudly rides alongside him. That change in perspective taught him something vital about control, trust, and the importance of allowing children to chart their own paths.

“Sometimes it is good to miss road,” Maduka emphasized during the conversation. “If you never miss the road, you will never discover a new road.” His words painted a powerful metaphor for growth through failure and self-discovery — a notion he suggests many African parents struggle to accept. To Maduka, trying to prevent children from making mistakes is not always a show of love but a denial of essential life lessons.

Throughout the podcast, the Coscharis boss criticized the tendency among parents to micromanage their children’s lives, shielding them from uncertainty and risk at all costs. According to him, this overprotective instinct can hinder a young person’s development. “We try to micromanage our children so much,” he lamented. “You see that child born in an average family, where the parents have taken good care of him — always standing in the gap, not willing to take risk!”

For Maduka, parenting should not be about fear or hyper-control but about guiding children while still allowing them room to make decisions, take chances, and learn from their experiences. He believes that this balance is critical for nurturing resilient, innovative, and self-sufficient individuals — qualities that helped him rise from a humble street trader to a global automotive magnate.

His comments have resonated with many, especially in a continent where traditional values often encourage deference to parental authority above personal aspiration. The idea that success is tied not just to discipline and structure but also to the courage to deviate from a set path is a compelling challenge to conventional African parenting methods.

While some listeners applauded his honesty and insight, others expressed concern about promoting disobedience or rebellion in young people. Yet Maduka’s core message wasn’t about disregarding rules — it was about knowing when to loosen the reins and let children steer their own journeys, even if it means they make mistakes along the way.

The seasoned businessman acknowledged that it’s natural for parents to want to protect their children, but he warned that overprotection can easily morph into suppression. As he put it, “That is about risk!” — a succinct summary of his belief that growth often lies just beyond the borders of comfort and safety.

Cosmas Maduka’s voice joins a growing chorus of thinkers and leaders advocating for a shift in how African societies approach parenting and education. His reflections remind us that failure is not the enemy of success but often its most faithful companion. For many African families navigating the tension between cultural expectations and modern realities, his words offer both a challenge and an invitation: to raise children not just with boundaries, but with the freedom to find their own way.