Nigerian music superstar Davido has ignited a fresh wave of public debate after issuing a blunt and profane response to a 13-year-old girl's appeal for a DNA test to confirm if he is her biological father.
Davido's Blunt Social Media Denial
The controversy erupted on January 15, 2026, when the teenager, Anu Adeleke, shared a heartfelt letter on Instagram. In her post, she appealed directly to Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, for a new paternity test, citing emotional distress and bullying at school due to the uncertainty surrounding her father.
Shortly after the letter went viral, Davido took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a forceful denial. His post, which quickly garnered massive attention, read: “After 5 DNA test … she Dey crase..her and her mom better leave me the f**k alone and go find her papa…”
He followed up with even more explicit posts, clarifying his stance. In one response to a fan's question, he wrote: “Never met the b***h … except when went For the DNA … very st*pid behavior I will soon treat their F* … 5 f****ng hospitals just to be clear .. the mom needs to go to jail … I don’t blame the poor girl ..”
Davido provided further details, claiming that five separate DNA tests had been conducted at different hospitals. He stated that he chose three facilities, while the other party chose two, and all results allegedly came back negative, proving he is not the father.
A Decade-Long Dispute and Conflicting Claims
This public clash is the latest chapter in a paternity dispute that has persisted for over a decade. Anu's mother has long maintained that Davido is the father, a claim the singer and his team have consistently rejected.
In January 2025, Davido's former lawyer, Prince Bobo Ajudua, publicly stated that two DNA tests had already been carried out at reputable hospitals. He asserted that one test was selected by Anu's family at the request of Davido's father, Dr. Deji Adeleke, and both results reportedly excluded Davido as the biological father. Ajudua called the continued public claims “extremely unfair” to the Adeleke family.
However, Anu's mother has disputed this account, insisting that no conclusive DNA tests have ever been conducted and that her daughter lacks definitive proof of her paternity. This conflict has kept the issue alive in the court of public opinion, with it periodically resurfacing on social media platforms.
Social Media Erupts with Mixed Reactions
Davido's explicit posts triggered a storm of reactions across Nigerian social media. Many users expressed shock at the revelation that five tests had allegedly been conducted.
One X user, @beri_grizou, reacted with: “5DNA test? That’s crazy fr.” Another, @Row_Haastrup, commented: “A whole 5? Why do it so many times? They didn’t believe it? Omo…But that girl’s letter was so touching sha.”
Others questioned the motives behind the continued appeals. User @BrayelaLayefa wrote: “What exactly do they want to prove here? Attention seeking???” Conversely, some urged Davido to take a more responsible approach, with @wizedgent stating the repeated tests could imply a lack of trust in the results or the mother's certainty.
As of the latest reports, Davido has declared his recent posts as the final time he will address the matter publicly, insisting it is conclusively resolved.
Davido's Family and Public Persona
The controversy places a spotlight on Davido's public role as a father. The Grammy-nominated artist is one of Africa's most famous musicians and often speaks about family. He publicly acknowledges six children: three daughters and three sons, though one son, David Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr., tragically died in a drowning accident in 2022.
His acknowledged children include Imade Adeleke (mother: Sophia Momodu), Hailey Adeleke (mother: Amanda), Dawson Adeleke (mother: Larissa London), and twins born in October 2023 to his wife, Chioma Rowland. Anu Adeleke is not among the children Davido has publicly recognized.
The emotional appeal from the teenager and the star's fiery response ensure this complex personal saga, blending issues of celebrity, paternity, and family responsibility, will remain a topic of intense public discussion in Nigeria.
