Meet Musa Hasahya: The Nigerian Farmer with 12 Wives, 102 Children, and 568 Grandchildren — Now Considering Family Planning Amid Hardship

In the heart of rural Nigeria, where tradition often walks hand-in-hand with survival, lives Musa Hasahya — a man whose story sounds like folklore but is rooted in reality. A farmer by trade and a patriarch by destiny, Musa has carved a name for himself not just through tilling the land, but through raising a family so large it could fill a small village.

At 68 years old, Musa Hasahya is the proud — yet admittedly overwhelmed — father of 102 children and grandfather to 568. With 12 wives, each with their own bustling households, Musa once viewed his growing family as a blessing, a symbol of prosperity and strength. But times have changed, and so has Musa's perspective.

“In the past, having many children was a sign of wealth. The more children you had, the more hands there were to work on the farm,” Musa explains, seated under the shade of a mango tree on his vast compound. “But now, the world is different. Prices are high, food is expensive, and jobs are few.”

Life on the farm has grown harder. Erratic weather patterns, rising inflation, and dwindling resources have pushed Musa to the edge of reconsideration. What was once a thriving homestead now struggles to feed its many mouths. Some of Musa’s children have dropped out of school due to financial constraints. Others are yet to find employment in an already tight economy.

It is this stark reality that has made Musa — once a staunch traditionalist — begin advocating for family planning within his own household and community.

“If I had known what I know now, I wouldn’t have had so many children,” he admits. “Even the government is struggling. How can one man do what a whole nation is struggling to do?”

Family planning, long a taboo subject in his community, is now being discussed openly at Musa's dinner table. Some of his wives are supportive, while others are still adjusting to the idea. His older children, who now have families of their own, are taking his words to heart.

“It’s not just about giving birth,” Musa reflects. “It’s about giving your children a good life — food, education, and a future. That’s what truly matters now.”

Musa’s story, while extraordinary in numbers, echoes a larger, quieter shift happening across rural Africa — a movement where tradition is slowly making room for adaptation. His newfound voice in support of family planning may very well inspire others in his community to strike a balance between cultural pride and practical living.

In a world that’s changing faster than ever, Musa Hasahya is learning to adapt — not just for his sake, but for the hundreds of lives that bear his name.