Deji Adeleke settles paternity claims with DNA tests

Davido’s father clarifies status of alleged love child

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Dr. Adedeji Adeleke has officially addressed the long-standing paternity controversy surrounding his son, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Speaking at a press conference at his Lagos residence on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the elder Adeleke revealed that multiple DNA tests have been conducted to settle the claims once and for all. He stated that the results conclusively show a 0.00% probability of paternity, confirming that the singer is not the biological father of the 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo.

The controversy, which first surfaced in 2014, was reignited recently after the teenager made a public appeal on social media for a DNA test to resolve identity issues and bullying. Dr. Adeleke explained that he first learned of the matter over a decade ago when he received a DHL package from Ibadan containing a birth certificate and a letter from the child’s grandmother. Despite his son’s initial denial of ever meeting the mother, Ayo Labinjoh, the family patriarch insisted on scientific verification to ensure total transparency.

According to Dr. Adeleke, a total of five DNA tests were coordinated to eliminate any possibility of error or mistaken identity. Three of these tests were conducted for Davido, while two were carried out for his nephew, Adebayo Adeleke (known as B-Red), due to similarities in their names. The businessman emphasized that the tests used saliva samples analyzed in South Africa and the United States, and all returned negative results.

Family patriarch provides support despite negative results

Despite the lack of a biological link, Dr. Adeleke revealed that he has privately supported Anuoluwapo and her mother for several years. He disclosed that he funded the girl’s primary education and even enrolled her mother at Adeleke University, although she reportedly dropped out after two years. The billionaire noted that he acted out of a sense of philanthropy through the Springtime Foundation, as the child’s aunt—a scientist—had reached out for assistance.

“I have 14 grandchildren, so what would one more do?” Dr. Adeleke asked during the briefing, stressing that the family would have gladly accepted the child if the science had proven otherwise. He explained that Davido was unaware of his father’s private financial involvement with the Ibadan-based family. However, the patriarch decided to speak out now because the recurring allegations were being used by “conflict entrepreneurs” to defame his son and the wider Adeleke family.

The businessman specifically called out controversial social media commentator Kemi Olunloyo, accusing her of impersonating the minor and her mother to sustain the scandal. He alleged that Olunloyo had been managing the Instagram accounts used to attack Davido, citing information received from the child’s own relatives in Abuja. Dr. Adeleke warned that the family is considering legal action for defamation and the unauthorized publication of sensitive genetic data.

Science settles decade-long dispute as family seeks peace

The press conference was intended to provide a final, fact-based closure to a narrative that has followed the Afrobeats superstar throughout his career. Dr. Adeleke reiterated that DNA is like a fingerprint and does not change regardless of how many times a test is performed. He rejected calls to publish the full medical reports online, citing the security risks of putting a minor’s genetic profile in the public domain.

As the news of the briefing spread across Nigeria, many fans and observers have praised the elder Adeleke for his “principled and compassionate” handling of the sensitive matter. Davido, who has been vocal about his frustration with the repeated claims, had previously stated on X that the issue was already “settled by science.” The family now hopes that the public will respect their privacy and the mental well-being of the minor involved as they move past the controversy.