Entertainment
Davido Denies Paternity as Alleged Teenage Daughter’s Mother Calls for Fresh DNA Test
Nigerian Afrobeats star David Adeleke, known as Davido, has publicly denied claims that he is the father of a 13-year-old girl after her mother renewed calls for a fresh DNA test, reigniting a long-running and emotional dispute.
The controversy resurfaced after Davido, reacting on social media, dismissed the claims and said multiple DNA tests had already been conducted, adding that the girl’s mother should “find her biological father”.
The comments triggered widespread backlash online, with many Nigerians questioning how the matter has been handled and raising concerns about the welfare of the child at the centre of the dispute.
What Davido said
In a widely shared post, Davido suggested that several DNA tests had already ruled him out as the child’s father.
He wrote that the repeated claims were harassment and insisted that the results were conclusive, urging the family to stop linking him to the child.
The singer has not released any official documents publicly to support the claim of multiple DNA tests.
Mother rejects claims of multiple DNA tests
The girl’s mother, Ayo Labinjoh, strongly rejected Davido’s version of events, saying only one DNA test was ever conducted in 2014 and alleging it was compromised.
“My name is Ayo Labinjoh. I am NOT Davido’s baby mama or a bitch,” she said, adding that she had focused on protecting her daughter’s mental health after years of bullying.
She alleged that the test was carried out in a laboratory chosen by Davido’s family and not in a hospital, claiming the child’s blood sample was mishandled and the result falsified.
“There was no DNA swab. They took my daughter’s blood, and Davido’s blood was drawn separately in a room we were not allowed to enter,” she said.
Allegations against Davido’s family
Ms Labinjoh further accused Davido’s father, Dr Deji Adeleke, of overseeing the test and claimed the laboratory process lacked transparency.
She named a technician she alleged was involved and said her daughter was “fighting for her identity”.
She also claimed that Davido recently contacted the teenager directly, using threatening and abusive language, an allegation Davido has not responded to publicly.
Call for an independent DNA test
The mother said she is now seeking an internationally supervised DNA test, arguing that trust has been broken.
“David is a US citizen. I will request the US State Department to contact the mission in Lagos or Abuja to help us supervise and witness a clean independent DNA test,” she said.
She rejected suggestions that the singer should “adopt” the child, insisting her daughter was not seeking charity but clarity.
Daddy Freeze weighs in
The debate intensified after media personality Daddy Freeze said he had personally seen a DNA test result showing Davido was not the girl’s father.
In response, Ms Labinjoh accused him of misleading the public, insisting the document he referenced was the same disputed 2014 test.
“The ONLY DNA TEST he did is what you saw. Post it! The false negative test,” she said, adding that claims of five tests were inconsistent.”
Why it matters
The case has sparked a broader conversation in Nigeria about paternity disputes, the use of DNA testing, and the protection of minors in high-profile conflicts.
Child rights advocates warn that prolonged public disputes can cause lasting psychological harm, especially when children are named or discussed on social media.
Public reaction
On social media platforms including X, Instagram, and Facebook opinions remain sharply divided.
While some users support Davido’s stance, others argue that the matter should be resolved quietly through legal and medical channels rather than online exchanges.
What’s next
No court action has yet been confirmed by either party.
If an independent DNA test is conducted, legal experts say it could bring a definitive end to the dispute or open the door to further legal claims.
Veteran actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has criticised the growing trend of actors dancing on social media to promote films, saying she will not take part in such campaigns.
Speaking on TVC Entertainment, the award-winning star said while she enjoys dancing, she draws a clear line between personal expression and forced publicity.
“I’m sorry, I would not be doing the dancing. I dance. I love to dance, but there’s a difference between dancing because you want to and dancing because you have to. The problem arises when it becomes a chore,” she said.
Her comments come amid increasing use of TikTok-style dance challenges to market Nollywood productions.
Why it matters
Social media has become a powerful promotional tool in Nollywood, with producers often relying on viral content to drive cinema attendance.
However, Omotola’s stance highlights growing concern about creative pressure on actors and the blurring line between performance and marketing.
‘Marketing should be done by professionals’
Omotola stressed that an actor’s primary responsibility is storytelling, not publicity stunts.
“Once I complete a project, my job is to talk about it and let those trained in promotion handle its distribution and advertising,” she said.
She added that backlash against dance-based promotions often stems from coercion, not from dancing itself.
According to her, forcing actors into viral campaigns risks undermining artistic integrity.
Industry reactions
Her remarks echo recent comments by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who also questioned the logic behind the trend.
He had said he would not dance to promote a movie, arguing that producers should reassess marketing strategies, especially when blockbuster films still generate relatively low earnings.
Some filmmakers and actors agree that while social media engagement is important, it should not replace structured marketing plans.
Others argue that digital trends reflect changing audience behaviour and must be embraced strategically.
What’s next for Nollywood marketing?
Experts say the debate may push producers to invest more in professional marketing teams, audience research, and distribution networks.
As Nollywood expands globally, the industry faces pressure to balance virality with sustainability, creativity with commerce.
For now, Omotola’s position signals that not all stars are willing to dance to the algorithm.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bimbo Ademoye says monetisation has been fully restored on her film Where Love Lives, following public concern over its alleged demonetisation on YouTube.
The film has now crossed 19 million views, marking a major recovery for the project after the issue sparked widespread discussion among fans and industry watchers.
“Monetization has been fully restored on our film! And we’re now on 19 million views,” Ademoye said in a social media update.
Background: what happened to Where Love Lives
Earlier this week, Ademoye had alerted fans that Where Love Lives appeared to have lost its monetisation status on YouTube, a move she suggested could affect the film’s earnings.
The development triggered reactions across social media, with supporters questioning how content moderation decisions on global platforms affect African creators.
Although YouTube has not publicly commented on the specific case, demonetisation reviews are typically linked to platform policies on content suitability.
Why it matters
For many Nollywood filmmakers, YouTube has become a critical revenue stream as cinema distribution remains limited and production costs rise.
Ademoye’s experience has renewed calls for clearer communication and transparency between global platforms and African content creators.
Gratitude amid relief
Following the restoration, the actress shared an emotional message thanking her mother for emotional support during the period of uncertainty.
“Whenever I text ‘mommy see o’ she leaves whatever she’s doing to ensure I’m ok,” she wrote.
“She said, ‘I’d always be here no matter what’.”
She described her industry mother as her constant source of strength, adding that success has not replaced the comfort of home.
Fans and public reaction
Ademoye also thanked her online supporters, describing them as her “cyber family” for standing by her during the controversy.
“I’m not perfect, but you love me regardless. Eniyan laso mi,” she said.
Fans have since flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating both the restored monetisation and the film’s growing viewership.
What’s next
Ademoye has announced that she will not release another movie until March, signalling a short production break following the intense period around Where Love Lives.
Nigerian filmmaker Toyin Abraham has made history after her film Oversabi Aunty grossed ₦1,017,201,953 across cinemas in West Africa.
The achievement makes the comedy-drama the first Nollywood directorial debut to cross the ₦1bn box office threshold, according to figures shared by the film’s promoters.
It also ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time, reinforcing the growing commercial power of locally produced cinema.
A personal milestone for Toyin Abraham
Reacting to the success, Abraham described the moment as deeply emotional in a message shared on Instagram.
“Thank you GOD
Thank you Toyintitans
Thank you Nigerians
Thanks to my cast
Thanks to my crew
Thank you filmone
Thank you everyone
I’m short of words🥹🙏
Oversabi Aunty to the world and still showing in cinemas near you
My first directorial debut on big screen🥹 Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you”
The film marks Abraham’s first time directing a feature for cinema release, after years of success as an actor and producer.
Why this matters
Crossing the ₦1bn mark is widely seen as a benchmark for commercial success in Nollywood, where rising production and marketing costs continue to challenge filmmakers.
For fans, the film’s continued run in cinemas means more access to locally made stories with high production value.
What’s next
Oversabi Aunty is still showing in cinemas nationwide, with promoters encouraging audiences who have not seen it to catch the film on the big screen.
Industry watchers will now be looking to see whether the film climbs higher on the all-time box office rankings in the coming weeks.
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