Afrobeats superstar Davido has melted hearts online following a touching reunion with his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, after a prolonged custody battle with her mother, Sophia Momodu. The emotional moment, captured in photos and videos shared on social media, has since sparked a wave of reactions from fans across Nigeria and beyond.
The Grammy-nominated artist, whose real name is David Adeleke, took to his Instagram Story and X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to share clips of the special moment. In one of the heartwarming videos, Imade is seen dancing joyfully while Davido throws up peace signs with a wide, sincere smile, clearly cherishing the father-daughter bond.
“Best day of my life,” Davido simply wrote on X, accompanying the footage that quickly went viral.
The reunion marks a significant turning point in what had been a tense and highly publicized custody dispute between the singer and Sophia Momodu — a conflict that began in 2024 and gripped the attention of fans and media outlets alike.
A Battle for Custody and Connection
Davido had earlier filed for joint custody of Imade, accusing Sophia of intentionally restricting his access to the child despite his consistent financial contributions. Legal documents and court proceedings revealed the emotional toll the dispute had taken on both parties.
Sophia, however, pushed back strongly against the application, citing concerns about the singer’s lifestyle and stability, particularly in the aftermath of the tragic death of his son, Ifeanyi, in 2022. She also raised fears about the safety and emotional wellbeing of their daughter, leading to a courtroom standoff that dragged on for months.
Although details of any official settlement remain undisclosed, the latest reunion suggests that some resolution — even if temporary — has been reached.
“Every child deserves a relationship with both parents,” said Lagos-based family law expert Barrister Esther Ojo, who commented on the development. “In high-profile cases like this, it’s essential to prioritize the child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing.”
Fans React: Praise, Criticism, and Everything in Between
The internet quickly lit up with reactions following Davido’s post. While many fans celebrated the reunion as a moment of healing and progress, others raised questions about motives and past behavior.
Here’s a roundup of some of the most talked-about reactions from social media platform X:
- @ayomi: “Missed seeing them together.”
- @motivational_atmosphere: “Thank you Jesus. God bless you Sophia and David. The devil didn’t win on this.”
- @dutch: “I’ll always celebrate a father who chooses and fights to be present.”
- @mercyjames23: “Whenever this guy is with Imade, you see genuine laughter and obvious happiness. Truly, they have a special bond. Thank you, Sophia.”
- @nekky: “So happy for them. Every child needs their father — especially a girl child.”
However, not all comments were positive. Some netizens expressed skepticism over the timing of the reunion.
- @help!!!!!!!!!!: “After refusing to pay Imade’s school fees for 3 years, now you want to use her for clout. This is what Sophia complained about in court.”
- @miere_ave: “Imade’s mom is smart. She probably needs some cash for Imade’s birthday. Smart move, but I’m happy nonetheless.”
Others took a more neutral or encouraging stance:
- @madam kee: “God bless him for not giving up on her.”
- @oreoluwa: “Not one of the best — the BEST.”
- @decency: “Responsible father. Can’t say the same for a lot of men out there.”
- @african giant: “Blood is thicker than water. Seeing is believing.”
Davido’s Ongoing Journey as a Father
Davido, 32, is known not just for his chart-topping hits and global influence in Afrobeats, but also for being a doting father to his children. In addition to Imade, he shares two other daughters and a newborn son with his wife, Chioma Rowland-Adeleke.
Following the death of their son Ifeanyi in 2022, Davido largely withdrew from the public eye for several months, only returning in 2023 with a new album and a renewed public image that centered around family, legacy, and faith.
In various interviews, the singer has spoken candidly about how fatherhood changed his life.
“Being a father teaches you patience, sacrifice, and real love. I do everything for my kids,” he told Ebuka Obi-Uchendu in a 2023 interview on “Bounce Radio.”
The reunion with Imade comes just weeks before her birthday, and many fans are hopeful it will mark a fresh chapter for the father-daughter relationship that once seemed in jeopardy.
A Hopeful Future?
While it remains unclear whether the reunion was a one-off event or part of a longer-term custody agreement, the public moment has sparked important conversations around co-parenting, emotional healing, and the role of fathers in their children’s lives — particularly in high-profile Nigerian households.
“Custody battles are always complex, but children thrive when both parents collaborate, even if they’re no longer together romantically,” said Dr. Grace Okafor, a child psychologist based in Abuja.
As for Davido, fans will be watching closely to see whether this reunion marks a sustained effort to rebuild trust and consistency in Imade’s life. With love pouring in from all corners of social media, many are hopeful the singer and his daughter will continue to share more joyful moments — not just for the cameras, but in their private lives as well.
