Celebrity Feuds That Rocked Nigeria's Entertainment Scene in Early 2026
The year 2026 began with significant controversy across Nigeria's entertainment industry, as numerous celebrities engaged in public disputes and online confrontations. From Nollywood stars to musicians and social media influencers, these conflicts captured public attention and sparked widespread debate among fans and colleagues alike.
Major Celebrity Conflicts That Defined the Start of 2026
Several high-profile feuds that began in 2025 spilled over into the new year, showing no signs of resolution. The entertainment landscape witnessed dramatic confrontations that played out on social media platforms, with celebrities airing personal grievances and making serious allegations against one another.
Davido's Paternity Saga Escalates
What started as a respectful request from teenager Anu Adeleke for a DNA test to confirm her paternity to singer Davido quickly escalated into a public controversy. The situation intensified when Davido revealed he had conducted multiple DNA tests, all returning negative results. This prompted harsh exchanges between the parties involved, with Anu's mother reacting to allegations about manipulated test results. The dispute drew commentary from various celebrities and colleagues who took sides in the matter.
Verydarkman and Harrison Gwamnishu's Public Clash
Social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, known as Verydarkman, publicly clashed with human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu over allegations related to a kidnapping case in Auchi. Verydarkman threatened to expose the activist unless he confessed to allegedly collecting money in the case, leading to a trending online feud that divided their respective fan bases.
Pastor Chris Okafor and Doris Ogala's Prolonged Conflict
The feud between Liberation City founder Pastor Chris Okafor and Nollywood actress Doris Ogala continued into 2026 after beginning the previous year. The conflict centered on allegations of a failed romantic relationship, with Ogala introducing another woman who allegedly had a child with the cleric. The actress claimed the experience led to her mental breakdown and displayed a newborn child allegedly born before police involvement in the matter.
Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko's Marriage Dispute
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels and politician Ned Nwoko extended their public dispute into 2026, with Nwoko accusing the actress of substance abuse. Regina responded by undergoing testing abroad and sharing results online, but Nwoko dismissed these and insisted she needed rehabilitation. The conflict escalated further when Nwoko released WhatsApp chats from their marriage and had Regina's friend arrested over allegations related to a terminated pregnancy.
Carter Efe's Baby Mama Controversy
Streamer and skit maker Carter Efe began the year with allegations against his baby mama, Emmanuella, claiming he was denied access to their daughter. Emmanuella responded by sharing evidence of alleged abuse and contradicting his claims about their relationship status. The situation drew commentary from other celebrities who publicly defended her position.
Seun Kuti Clashes with Wizkid's Fanbase
Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, engaged in conflict with fans of singer Wizkid over comparisons between the contemporary artist and his father. Kuti warned against using his father's name loosely and described Wizkid's fanbase in critical terms, prompting reactions from the singer himself.
Portable's Domestic Dispute Leads to Arrest
Controversial singer Portable began 2026 with a feud that resulted in police custody after accusing his baby mama, Ashabi Simple, of attacking his pregnant wife. Ashabi countered with allegations of physical assault and threats, leading to Portable's arrest and court appearance before he eventually regained freedom.
Clergy Conflict Between Apostle Chikere Nwafor and Pastor Martin Ugbulu
A leaked voice note from late 2025 sparked controversy involving clerics Martin Ugbulu and Psalm Okpe, with Apostle Chikere Nwafor responding with counter-allegations against her ex-husband. She accused him of domestic violence during their marriage and abuse of church members, while Ugbulu denied the claims and accused her of fraudulent activities.
Peller's Eatery Confrontation Goes Viral
Streamer Peller was involved in a public confrontation with a woman at an eatery that was captured on video and went viral. Both parties later shared their versions of events after the heated exchange filled with insults circulated online.
Cubana Chiefpriest and Hellen Ati's Paternity Allegations Resurface
Long-running paternity allegations involving Kenyan woman Hellen Ati and businessman Cubana Chiefpriest intensified in 2026, with Hellen involving the businessman's wife and sister in the dispute. She made various claims about their personal lives, adding another layer to the ongoing controversy.
These celebrity feuds demonstrate how personal conflicts have become public spectacles in Nigeria's entertainment industry, with social media serving as the primary battleground for these disputes. The controversies have sparked conversations about privacy, celebrity culture, and the impact of public disputes on personal relationships within the entertainment community.
