Celebrated Nigerian music video director, Clarence Peters, has opened up about the deeply personal journey of forgiving his father, Afro-Juju legend Sir Shina Peters, revealing that he recognized his own flaws by seeing them mirror those of his father.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Peters, who is widely regarded for his contributions to the evolution of music video production in Nigeria, stated that he forgave his father long before they even had a conversation about their strained relationship. This moment of forgiveness, he said, marked the beginning of his journey into adulthood.
“I made every single mistake my father made. I’m just lucky that time and tech saved me from it being as catastrophic as his own,” Peters admitted.
“The moment I realized that, I forgave him instantly—even before we had a conversation. That was in 2014/2015. That was when I became an adult.”
At 41, Clarence Peters has carved his own legacy, not only as the son of two Nigerian icons—Shina Peters and veteran Nollywood actress Clarion Chukwura—but also as a multi-award-winning creative force behind many of Nigeria’s most visually compelling music videos. Yet, his rise has not been without personal struggle.
In earlier interviews, Peters has spoken about the complexities of his upbringing, including a shocking revelation that his mother once considered aborting him, believing she had encountered the reincarnation of her father, whom she lost at age 11.
In a February 2025 conversation with Chude Jideonwo, Peters expressed a desire to hold his father accountable for past behavior, especially how he treated his mother, but acknowledged the limitations of judgment.
“I would have loved to judge my dad for how he treated my mother, but I’m not in a position to.”
He further confessed that although he made an effort not to repeat his father’s treatment of women, he admits he is not perfect. The video director’s emotional honesty is resonating with fans, particularly young creatives navigating similar generational patterns in relationships and family dynamics.
As the Nigerian entertainment industry matures, figures like Clarence Peters are starting important conversations about fatherhood, accountability, and healing from generational trauma. His story underscores a wider cultural shift in which men are becoming more open about their emotional growth and past mistakes