A fresh wave of controversy has hit Nigerian social media following public comments by Dr Adedeji Adeleke, father of popular music star Davido, over an ongoing paternity dispute involving an alleged daughter of the singer.
The issue began when a young girl, Anuoluwa Adeleke, was presented online as Davido’s alleged daughter. A letter was later circulated in which the child reportedly asked Davido to agree to a DNA test to confirm her paternity. The matter quickly gained attention and sparked heated debates across social media platforms.
As the controversy grew, Davido publicly reacted and accused Anu’s mother of making false claims. Anu’s mother also responded, defending herself and insisting that her daughter deserved clarity about her father. What started as a private family issue soon became a public dispute involving accusations, counter-accusations, and strong emotions.
In an unusual move, Davido’s father, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, a well-known businessman and founder of Adeleke University, addressed the matter publicly during a press briefing. In the video, which later circulated widely online, he stated clearly that Anuoluwa is not his granddaughter.
Dr Adeleke claimed that DNA tests had already been conducted in the past and that the results showed Davido was not the father of the child. He said the family had investigated the matter thoroughly and advised his son to ignore further claims.
In the same video, Dr Adeleke made strong remarks about controversial media personality Kemi Olunloyo, accusing her of spreading false information about the case. He alleged that Olunloyo had a history of lying and impersonation and claimed that even members of her own family had distanced themselves from her.
“I’ve told David to ignore that woman,” Adeleke said in the video. “Even her own son disowned her publicly. She has been lying and lying, using an account that does not belong to her, impersonating a child and the child’s mother. She lies a lot. The family says she’s crazy. She’s receiving psychiatric help somewhere. Her own father said it. So I don’t care what she says.”
Following Dr Adeleke’s comments, Kemi Olunloyo responded strongly on her Facebook page. Olunloyo, a former journalist known for her outspoken views and frequent involvement in celebrity controversies, accused Dr Adeleke of dragging her son into the matter.
She claimed that she does not tolerate anyone mentioning or involving her son in public disputes. Olunloyo stated that her son is autistic and should not be used as a tool in online arguments or personal attacks.
According to her, the attacks against her were not because of any wrongdoing on her part, but because she was speaking what she described as the truth about the paternity issue. She denied claims that she impersonated Anu or her mother and insisted that she only helped by opening an Instagram account for the child before handing it over to the child’s mother.
Olunloyo wrote on Facebook: “Deji told David to ignore me because my biological son has disowned me. Correction: because I’m exposing him and it’s the truth. Deji Adeleke keep my autistic son off your mouth and focus on Davido’s autistic twins who can’t talk.”
Her post immediately went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians online.
The exchange between Olunloyo and the Adeleke family has sparked strong reactions on social media. While some users supported Dr Adeleke for defending his family and son, others criticised the public nature of the comments and the personal attacks involved.
Many Nigerians expressed concern about the mention of children in the dispute, especially those with special needs. Some social media users urged all parties involved to handle the matter privately and protect the dignity and welfare of the children at the centre of the controversy.
Others questioned why a paternity issue involving a private child had been allowed to escalate into a public media battle involving press conferences, viral videos, and social media posts.
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, is one of Africa’s biggest music stars, with a massive following both in Nigeria and internationally. Over the years, his personal life has often attracted as much attention as his music career, including past controversies involving relationships and children.
Dr Adedeji Adeleke is a respected businessman and educationist. He has largely stayed away from public controversies involving his son, making his recent comments on the paternity issue particularly notable.
Kemi Olunloyo, on the other hand, is known for her bold and often controversial statements on social and political issues. Her involvement in celebrity matters has frequently placed her at the centre of public debates and legal threats.
As the dispute continues to trend online, legal experts and social commentators have warned about the dangers of discussing sensitive family issues in public. They note that paternity disputes are best resolved through legal and medical processes rather than social media exchanges.
There are also growing calls for restraint, especially when discussing mental health and developmental conditions. Advocacy groups have reminded the public that autism is a medical condition and should not be used as an insult or weapon in personal conflicts.
